February222011

FEBRUARY 22, 2011

NEWS

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UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA ANCHORAGE

Military Burn Pits:

Hazardous to troops’ health

A&E

09

Homosexual morality:

WWW.THENORTHERNLIGHT.ORG

SPORTS

Speech hosted at UAA discusses issue

19

Road Warriors:

Seawolves road record soars over opponents

Board approves sexual orientation as protected class

PAT MCCORMICK/ TNL

Numerous community members, faculty, staff and students joined the UA Board of Regents Thursday, Feb. 17 and Friday, Feb. 18 to give public testimony. A large portion of those who gave testimony spoke in favor of approving the inclusion of sexual orientation in the University’s anti-discrimination clause, which is an addition the UA student body has been pursing for many years. The motion was passed with only two dissenting votes.

Emotional public testimony prefaced Board of Regents’ decision to add sexual orientation to anti discrimination policy; race, religion, national origin, veteran status among traits already included

By Shana Roberson The Northern Light

Public testimony was deeply personal last week as the University of Alaska’s Board of Regents heard members of the community regarding a motion to add sexual orientation as a protected class to the anti-discrimination policy.

“I have faced harassment and discrimination, been denied housing when I was otherwise qualified and refused medical care because of who I am,” Drew Phoenix, an Anchorage resident, told the board on Thursday.

After two days of testimony, the Board of Regents (BOR) approved the motion to add sexual orientation to the University of Alaska’s anti-discrimination clause.

The approval came after students, alumni, members of the community and several members of the UAA club The Family testified, often with much emotion.

Although most testimony was focused on the experiences of the person testifying, Mark Faller, Ph.D., an Associate Professor at Alaska Pacific University, took a different approach.

“One day some 20 or so years hence, a son or

granddaughter will query you in the naive confusion as to how it could have ever been the case that people were abused and denied protection just because how they were born or who they loved,” Faller said.

In a challenge to the board, Faller said their choices were either to do the right thing or else remain morally blind.

And after nearly two hours of testimony, the motion took less than ten minutes for the BOR to discuss and approve the motion.

During the discussion, UA President Patrick Gamble

SEE DISCRIMINATION PAGE 03

UAA celebrates its 26th UAA runner William Ritekwiang dies Black History Month

By Megan Edge The Northern Light

By Sean Talbot The Northern Light

A drum circle led by Jesse Wright started the kickoff of Black History Month that continued through the afternoon of Feb. 1 in the Student Union.

The kickoff continued with food and discussion. Ears and eyes went to keynote speaker Dr. Cheryl Easley, Dean of the College of Heath and Social Welfare while noses went after the cornbread and collared greens nearby. Misha Morgan sang the Negro National Anthem to close out the ceremonies.

According to Marva Watson, Black History Month has been celebrated at UAA for twenty-six years.

“We’re going to keep celebrating… we are a multicultural environment, an institution and a campus of inclusion, so we want to celebrate all ethnicities,” Watson said.

Originally created in 1926 as a vehicle to promote the nation’s awareness of black culture and achievement, Black History Week has evolved into a monthlong celebration 50 years later.

Sarah Birmanns, a language teacher at Chugiak High School, takes a passionate stance on the subject.

“Historical systemic oppression has created a hole in popular knowledge. Even scholarly knowledge is lacking in data and perspective due to the limited and doctored records

SEE HISTORY PAGE 07

On Feb. 19 UAA student and athlete William Ritekwiang passed away.

“We are deeply saddened to report the death of William Ritekwiang. William, a sophomore from Kapenguria, Kenya, was found this morning (Saturday) in his home. All of the Seawolf Nation sends our thoughts and our prayer to his family, friends, teammates and coaches,” UAA Athletic Director Dr. Steve Cobb said in his statement regarding the death of Ritekwiang.

Ritekwiang started his athletic career with the Seawolves in 2010, as a part of the Track & Field team.

In 2010, Ritekwiang posted UAA’s third best time in steeplechase with a time of 9:43.73 at the UNLV Invite. Ritekwiang, a nursing major, finished fifth in the 10,000 meter, and 10th in the 5,000 meter at the GNAC Championships. His best time was received in a time of 1:59.83 in the 800 meter at the UNLV Invite.

“William was an excellent student who made the 2010 U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country

SEE RITEKWIANG PAGE 18

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE UAA ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT

02

TNL

NEWS| February 22, 2011

Housing safety checks cause students to cry foul

By Alec Martinez The Northern Light

When you call a place hom, you believe it should be a place for no one but yourself, your family, and those who you choose to invite in. But if one’s private area or belongings were to be searched through without a warrant or probable cause, one might consider that a violation of their fourth amendment rights. Such is the case for some UAA students.

Some residents of the Main Apartment Complexes (MAC’s), like Conrad Booth, believe their Fourth Amendment rights are being violated “I do not think it is right for a random person to go in my room. It violates my privacy. I wouldn’t like someone coming into a place unannounced that I call my home and looking through my stuff.”

According to Booth, searches are conducted under the guise of routine safety checks.

“The housing staff will purposely pull the fire alarm in a dormitory. The students, following safety protocol, will exit the building, “ said Booth, “While the students are out of the building, the housing staff goes through and searches the student’s room for housing rule violations.”

To refresh your memory, the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution protects U.S. Citizens. “…Right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated; and no Warrants shall issue but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. “ .

Robert Heidi, a graduate student studying Public Administration, had no objection to the basic idea of a safety check.

“The idea of a safety check should be just that; to ensure that the provisions put in place and maintained by the university, are operating properly.”

But what he finds disturbing is that these safety checks are random and unannounced, and that the “…the basic “good” leasor/leasee relationship is being violated”.

He believes that the checks are done unfairly and at a disadvantage to the student.

Housing staff stated that state law requires fire drill procedures. Both fire drills and safety checks are regulations

that are required by higher authority in Anchorage such as the Board of Regents and Municipality of Anchorage.

There is one fire drill and one safety check per semester.

Fire drills and safety checks are separate procedures; safety checks are not done during a fire drill.

“The student will schedule a date for the assigned RA to visit the student’s room with the student present,” Liz Babylon, an administrative assistant at the housing office, said.

The UAA housing guide states that the purpose of safety checks is to ensure the health and safety conditions of all

Student staff members are involved only with fire drills while senior staff members conduct the fire drills, which are arranged with the Anchorage Fire Department. An email is sent out to all students residing in housing announcing an upcoming fire drill.

While some students continue to believe their rights are being violated, other students believe the checks are necessary for their safety and their privacy remains intact in the place they call home.

‘I do not think it is right for a random person to go in my room.

It violates my privacy. I wouldn’t like someone coming into a place unannounced that I call my home and looking through my stuff.’

-Conrad Booth UAA Junior housing spaces. AMong the ares checked for cleanliness are common areas and bedrooms. In addition, Section 8 of the Housing and Dining Contract states that the University reserves the right for staff visits to the dormitory and perform safety checks.

A piece of clothing on the sprinkler blocking water from putting out fires in case of an emergency is an example of what staff look for during safety checks. If such a display is found, the student will receive a written warning identifying the issue and ask them to make sure it does not happen again.

Michael Votava, assistant director of student conduct, stated that if a persistent problem occurs, the student would be requested to leave housing. He also stated that they must follow common government protocols, which requires any government agent to announce who they are and once their presence is notified, they will go in and do a quick look around.

GRAPHIC BY COREY BEAUDRIE

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February 22, 2011 | NEWS

DISCRIMINATION: Gender identity sought as another protected class CONTINUED FROM COVER praised the hard work of the

students who brought the issue to the BOR, calling them persistent, thorough and responsible. Student Regent Ashton Compton was also singled out for her hard work on the issue. Gamble also said that although research indicated the motion was in order, approving the motion was also a symbolic act for the university.

“I think for this university the positive energy and goodwill that it will generate is not insignificant,” Gamble said. ”I just think it’s time Mr. Chairman.”

Regent Kirk Wickersham echoed the President’s comments, saying that the current policy was good, but the addition would make it better.

The motion passed with only two dissenting votes, those of Board Chairman Fuller Cowell and Regent Kenneth Fisher.

Fisher opposed the motion based on a conflict he believes it creates with the Alaska State Constitution, which calls for all persons to have equal rights, opportunities and protections under the law.

“I am having a hard time justifying everybody treated equal to establishing a protected class. Personally I find it in conflict with our constitution,” Fisher said.

In fact, race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, veteran status, physical or mental disability, marital status, pregnancy or parenthood were already protected classes listed

‘One day some 20 or so years hence, a son or granddaughter will query you in the naive confusion as to how it could have ever been the case that people were abused and denied protection just because how they were born or who they loved.’

-Mark Faller, Ph.D. Associate Professor at Alaska Pacific University

PHOTOS BY PATRICK MCCORMICK/ TNL

Top: BOR Student Regent Ashton Comtpon voted in favor of including sexual orientation in the University’s anti-discrimination clause. Above: Long-time regent Fuller Cowell was one of two dissenting votes. Cowell gave minimal comment as to why he voted against the motion.

in the anti-discrimination policy. Friday’s vote added sexual orientation as another protected class.

Many students and community members who testified were also advocating to add another protected class, gender identity.

“When I was born, the doctor’s took one look at me and declared that I was a girl,” said Drew Phoenix. “The gender I was assigned at birth did not match how I felt inside.”

Describing his personal journey to align his physical body with his gender identity, Phoenix was among many who requested the board also add transgendered individuals as a protected class. Those who testified noted that research showed transgendered individuals face the most discrimination as compared to other classes. During the short discussion before the vote, amending the motion to included gender identity was not mentioned.

In contrast to other motions passed by the board such as land grant endowment and health care plan modifications, this motion garnered reaction from the audience. Immediately following the vote that won by a margin of eight to two, the room filled with applause.

Cabin Fever 2010 champions move to semifinals Preliminary Round 5: Tuesday, Feb. 15, 7:00 Motion: Teachers’ pay should be tied to their students’ performance.

No my name’s not short for anything

Team N/A

Behind These Beards is Another Glorious Argument No my name’s not

short for anything

Deutscher Kultur Klub The Glow Worms

Preliminary Round 6: Tuesday, Feb. 15, 8:30 Motion: The U.S. federal government should be prohibited from requiring citizens to purchase health insurance.

French Vanilla Latte

Middlesborough Your Friends, the Cosmonauts

Your Friends, the Cosmonauts

STATEWIDE BRIEFS

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Unreality Alaska In one of the first episodes of the “Gold Rush: Alaska” Discovery Channel series, miners hoping to strike gold kill a bear near their camp. The killing was unwarranted, even though the shooter had a license and a non-resident black-bear tag, the state Department of Natural Resources said.

Jesuits Bankruptcy Attorneys for a group of people who allege sexual abuse by Jesuit priests have filed 37 lawsuits in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Portland, seeking about $3.1 million.

The Oregonian says the lawsuits filed Thursday contend that the Society of Jesus, Oregon Province, paid money to various church-related entities before filing for Chapter 11 protection two years ago, and the money actually should be considered part of the order’s assets.

James Stang, a lawyer representing a creditor’s committee that filed the lawsuits, told the newspaper the suits do not contend the Jesuits were trying to protect their assets from abuse claims.

The order, which covers Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Alaska and Montana, would not comment on the lawsuits, saying its affairs were tied up in the Chapter 11 proceedings.

US: Starring Alaska The real Alaska has finally joined the A list.

The state increasingly is being sought out by TV and film producers for its unmatchable lure of spectacular beauty and peril, of wild adventures and dangerous jobs.

And they’re actually shooting in the nation’s largest and most remote state instead of locations dolled up to portray Alaska, as multiple projects have done.

Alaska’s new film production tax credit program has only amped up the state’s evolving Q quotient, attracting several dozen projects since it was approved by lawmakers in 2008.

Most of the productions are based in TV reality.

But there also has been a noticeable uptick in interest from feature filmmakers — where the big money is.

Wolf Hybrids Charges Dropped The Fairbanks District Attorney’s office has dismissed charges of possessing wolf hybrids against a Healy man, saying he was not aware of their pedigree.

But Terry Delbene, 59, was “put on notice” that the dogs are potentially hybrids and he could be charged for possessing them, the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported.

Hybrids are illegal to own in Alaska unless grandfathered before Jan. 23, 2002. They also must be neutered, licensed, vaccinated against rabies, registered and have a microchip.

“In any crime, you are required to have an action and a mental requirement,” said Assistant District Attorney Ben Seekins.

“You’re required to take an action and to do so intentionally, knowingly, negligently or with criminal intent,” Seekins said. “I didn’t think he was aware that they were wolf hybrids.”

Alaska Wildlife Trooper Ralf Lysdahl visited Delbene last November and found three large dogs that “looked strikingly similar to wolves,” according to a criminal complaint filed in Nenana court.

Lysdahl reported the dogs had golden eyes and their fur pattern was consistent with that of wolves. The dogs did not bark at Lysdahl and instead howled and yipped like wolves, he wrote in the criminal complaint.

The kennel for the dogs had electrified wiring on all interior sides, the trooper noted.

Delbene told Lysdahl he bought the dogs in Florida and brought them to Alaska in July.

Delbene said the dogs were Inuits, a type of wolf hybrid, but he did not have any papers indicating the canines’ pedigree or ancestry. All three were spayed females.

According to Lysdahl, Delbene is aware of laws on possessing hybrid wolves in Alaska and did not have a state permit.

Lysdahl returned to Delbene’s home more than two weeks later, on Dec. 10, and was granted consent to collect DNA samples from the three dogs.

A University of California Davis lab report said two of the dogs have genetics only found in wolves and it was the lab director’s professional opinion “that those two canines have recent wolf history in their ancestry,” the criminal complaint stated.

Legislative Ethics Lawmakers could participate in certain partisan political activities while on state travel under a measure introduced by Sen. John Coghill.

The Republican hopes to provide clarity to an issue he says the legislative ethics committee, on which he serves, has grappled with for years. He expects a debate over what’s ethical and what’s fair, noting some people believe incumbents have an inherent advantage.

He considers the issues separate. He says candidates have fundraising options that sitting legislators don’t.

There are exceptions: legislators cannot participate in partisan activities while on state travel if those fall during normal workday hours, on election day, within 30 days of an election in which the lawmaker is running or are for fundraising.

The measure also would let lawmakers use legislative mailing lists for campaign purposes.

–Compiled by Matthew Caprioli

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NEWS| February 22, 2011

SAY WHAT? Swiped Giant Cactus Statue From New Mexico Library ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - Police in Albuquerque, N.M., are investigating a thorny theft case of gigantic proportions.

KOB-TV reports someone stole a giant fiberglass cactus Monday night from behind a public library.

High school students spent an entire summer building the $50,000 art piece shaped like a prickly pear cactus. They were part of a nonprofit group that provides art education for at-risk kids.

City officials say thieves probably unbolted the bright green cactus from the ground and used a pickup truck or van to cart it off. The city says the statue doesn’t weigh much so it was likely easy to carry off into the night.

A nearby resident, Paul Freshour, says the statue is probably pretty tough to hide, so he’s hopeful that officials will recover it.

Law To Protect German Kids’ Right To Noise BERLIN (AP) - Children of Germany take heart - it may soon be perfectly legal to make noise.

Germany is so desperate to encourage people to have more children that the government is proposing a bill allowing citizens under six to laugh, shout and play at any volume.

Germany is a land of many rules, especially about noise. The government’s move comes after a series of lawsuits about children and noise, and a recent call from a senior citizens’ chapter of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives, who sought to ban kindergartens from residential areas because they are too loud.

The government said Wednesday the proposed law would exempt children from strict regulations on noise limits, which force construction sites to stand idle for hours at midday and prohibit mowing lawns on Sunday.

Just In Time: North Carolina Couple Claims Lottery Prize STALLINGS, N.C. (AP) - A North Carolina couple has claimed a $1 million lotto prize just a day before it expired.

Raleigh Hill bought the Mega Millions ticket last summer. The state lottery agency said Hill and his wife claimed the prize Tuesday at the agency’s headquarters.

Hill said he only realized a couple of weeks after the Aug. 20 drawing that his ticket matched all five white balls. He waited two or three more weeks to tell his wife, until she came home at the end of a bad day.

Hill told the state lottery he hesitated to come in because of the attention. At one point, he lost track of the ticket before finding where he’d hidden it in a shoebox.

After taxes, the couple received $680,000. Hill is a baggage handler and his wife, Erin Hill, works for the federal government.

NY health officials launch condom finder phone app NEW YORK (AP) — Health officials have released a mobile phone application to help New Yorkers find free condoms.

The app is designed to locate the five nearest venues that distribute official NYC Condoms in jazzy wrappers printed with colorful subway maps or other city themes.

People can manually enter addresses or use their phones’ GPS technology. The app provides the hours of operation for each location and directions by foot, car or public transportation. It also offers tips on condom usage.

New Yorkers can download the free application by searching for “NYC Condom Finder” in the iPhone App Store or the Android Market.

The health department launched the condom finder app on Valentine’s Day. The app is the latest effort by the health department to promote condom use through its free condom distribution program.

-Compiled by Matthew Caprioli

TNL

Deployed troops face health risks through waste disposal process Waste disposal operation using ‘burn pits’ linked to cancer and fatalities

By Matthew Capriol The Northern Light

When operating in a desert landscape, the military faces many problems in the safe disposal of wastes. At the moment, the concern is that troops in Iraq and Afghanistan can develop rare diseases while disposing of waste.

Anthony Roles, a 12-year veteran of the Air Force, told U.S News & World Report that he developed Polycythemia Vera, a very rare and incurable form of cancer, from frequently working around burn pits. Burn pits are open cavities of land where waste is burned. As of February 2011, 84 open burn pits operate in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“There is no doubt in my mind that these problems started with the burn pits at Balad AFB,” Roles said.

Joint Base Balad (called Balad Airbase during Roles’s service) is about 42 miles north of Baghdad, and is one of the largest airbases in Iraq. When Roles was deployed in Iraq, Balad had more than 20,000 troops. Russell Keith, a paramedic also stationed at Balad, told the LA Times that could see the wind blowing because dark green plumes rose from the burn pits, some of which were near base living quarters.

The advocacy group Disabled American Veterans (DAV) says that they have a registry of more than 500 veterans that link a present illness directly to the burn pits. Along with DAV, The American Lung Association recommends an end to burn pits in war zones.

Michelle Pierce fought stomach cancer in 2008, then another tumor in her lung. She, like Roles, was in outstanding health before exposure to burn pits.

Sergeant William McKenna attracted national attention in early January when he died of a rare cancer. His death prompted members of Congress to propose the Military Personnel Toxic Exposure Registry Act, which, among other things, requires the Pentagon to track the thousands of troops exposed to burn pits.

Prior to these voiced concerns, burn pits included everything from medical waste to plastics. Roles said he saw everything from syringes and styrofoam cups to the hands and legs of amputees being burned. Others recalled computer parts, paints, tires, batteries, bloody gauze, and mattresses in the pit. In Balad, jet fuel was the common catalyst. Roles said the whole atmosphere was horrible.

“Like Saran Wrap that didn’t allow anything to rise above it.”

Regulations and guidance about burn pits began in 2009, six years after the Iraq war began. Until 2009, troops in Afghanistan and Iraq were told to burn everything, according to Afghanistan veteran and UAA student Brandon Fall.

Congress was unaware of the issue until hundreds of troops wrote their stories directly to Congress members, or told their story to thousands--like Roles did in June 2010--when he was the topic of a U.S. News & World Report article.

In September 2009, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) began a 13-month study on waste disposal in Iraqi bases.

Their goal was to find what worked and what did not in waste disposal, and to apply that information toward waste disposal in Afghanistan bases. During their investigation, they found that none of the four bases they examined were in compliance with recent regulations.

“The health impacts of burn pit exposure on individuals are not well understood, mainly because the military does not collect required data on emissions or exposures from burn pits,” according the GAO report.

However, on two of the bases, the report mentioned that contractors handled waste management, and that the military

has had difficulty re-negotiating old contracts to meet new waste-disposal requirements.

The improvements would require contractors to provide safe disposal mechanisms like incinerators. Contractors have cited logistics and cost for their hesitancy. They also say that the military decides how to operate burn pits.

The military is planning to implement better disposal procedure in Afghanistan. The U.S. Central Command is buying 220 solid-waste incinerators for trash disposal in Afghanistan.

Other efforts by the military include the mandatory use of masks or respirators when near burn pits. On Feb. 9, Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen said the policy should be implemented within 60 days.

The Department of Veteran Affairs is still studying the long-term health effects that burn pits had on troops.

“The study will compare the health of 30,000 combat Veterans deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan to 30,000 nondeployed Veterans. The report is due out by summer of 2011…At this time, research has not shown long-term adverse effects from exposure to the burn pits, but VA takes this issue seriously,” the VA webstire stated. ’ Lt. Gen. John Allen, the acting commander of Central Command, has written that the military believes there will be no more burn pits in Iraq by December 2011.

The military has been concerned with the safe disposal of chemical wastes since the advent of nuclear weapons.

During the cold war, when the U.S. began to deactivate nuclear weapons, the U.S. Army created the Project Manager for Chemical Demilitarization in 1972. Their mission was to safely deconstruct toxic chemical agents. By 1980, the agency expanded to include environmental research, development, and environmental control technology, among other things. That year the organization changed their name to the U.S Army Environmental Command (USAEC).

Also in 1980, Congress passed the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). The bill mandated that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) investigate contaminated sites throughout the U.S. To deal with this new demand, the EPA formed the Superfund Program, which keeps a list of the nation’s most hazardous sites.

Some of the money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act went to fund these superfund programs.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers used some off the money they received from (ARR) money to clean up hazardous waste sites; some of the biggest are in New Jersey. One site in need of recovery is FUSRAP Maywood Superfund Site in Bergen County, New Jersey. The site is 153 acres. From 1916 to 1959 Maywood Chemical Works used the area to process thorium, a radioactive element. The company disposed of waste into pits and manmade lagoons, causing the soil to become radioactive and increasing the possible threat to the highly developed area.

Regarding land that the military is responsible for, there are several contaminated sites at Fort Richardson. In 1994, the post was listed on the CERCLA National Priority List because of known or suspected hazardous chemicals. As of 2008, 75 percent of clean up efforts are complete. However, there are still unacceptable amounts of white phosphorous in the soil at the Eagle River Flats, according to the EPA. For more information on how the military disposes of waste or to offer comments, visit http://kasenna.uaa.alaska. edu/~tnl/. This is part 2 of a series that examines the military’s relationship with the environment.

February 22, 2011 | NEWS

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Retired IBM V.P. of Leadership’s five traits to being a good leader

By Ashley Snyder The Northern Light

Room 150 in the Fine Arts Building was filled with spectators of all ages last Tuesday night, curiously flipping through the programs, eagerly awaiting to hear what Polaris Lecture Series guest speaker Michael Markovits had to say on the subject of leadership.

Leadership, as most people know, is a key ability that people need to have in order to move up the ranks in their career and become a successful member of an industry or business.

On Feb. 15, the Polaris Lecture Series brought Michael Markovits, recently retired Vice President of Leadership at IBM, to offer insight on the qualities needed for effective leaders, more specifically on a global scale. Michael Markovits is a prime example of a true leader in America, having spent over twenty-five years at General Electric and IBM combined; his expertise improved the efficiency of all members within each company.

“Even though I am here to talk about Global Leadership I think what I know applies directly towards the challenges you face as a student, or as a member of the administration at the university, or really at any organization you may be a part of outside in the community,” Markovits said.

After a quick introduction, Markovits suggested that everyone turn to the person next to them and discuss on what their definitions of a good leader are. After several minutes of active conversation, he asked the audience what traits they came up with that exemplify a great leader.

Responses included prudence, passion, integrity, and empathy, among many others.

“While those are all important traits, I am going to give you my personal preferences of five traits that I feel distinguishes a typical leader from an outstanding leader,” Markovits said.

The first vital trait, Markovits said, is the ability to be a good learner.

“There is the famous question: Are leaders born or made? Everyone is born to be a potential leader. Everyone has the potential, they just need to have that potential nurtured, which will in turn guide them to experimentation, which will help them gain experience over time.”

Markovits’ second key point was that great leaders have great courage. Markovits asked the audience if they thought

the current generation was more courageous than previous generations, and the majority voted no. He agreed, pointing to the conformity that society often encourages.

“One thing about being courageous doesn’t mean you have to pretend to be strong. It doesn’t mean you have to hide all your worries. Sometimes it’s useful and actually builds collective courage in a team to let them know what your anxieties are.”

The third is the ability to influence others. People need

DANIEL JACKSON/ TNL

Former IBM Vice President Michael Markovitz spoke to students on Feb. 15 about leadership.

to learn to speak their minds and not hesitate to tell their bosses their opinions. Your opinion is important, as is how you express it. One mistake that people do make is telling their boss outright they are wrong. Even if they are, this method will cause tension between the two, and a negative atmosphere is never good for business.

“A method I have found that is more useful for handling disagreements is to first ask questions. Why do you think that? What’s your rationale? What do you think are the benefits of your decision? What these questions allow the other person to do is think out loud and potentially

reevaluate their position with new thoughts of their own.”

The fourth quality that makes a great leader is grace under pleasure. Markovits gave an example of a previous CEO of G.E. He had just been appointed to the position on Sept. 10, 2001, and flew to New York that night. He woke up on Sept. 11, 2001: he was far away from home, and far away from his office, there were people that worked for the company in the Twin Towers, and the repercussions of the event were already spreading through the GE network.

“You are away from home, you have no family, or any personnel. So what do you do? He stayed calm. He collected information. He involved the right people from across his team and he made the right decisions when decisions needed to be made. He didn’t make those decisions prematurely.”

The final trait that Markovits felt exceptional leaders should have is a good cultural awareness. Business leaders in today’s top industries are required to travel outside the borders to other countries. Many of those that do have the chance to experience other cultures, do not even take the opportunity to learn anything at all.

“Cultural awareness or cultural literacy is the knowledge or lack of knowledge of other cultures. Global leaders address people worldwide. Now there is the additional dynamic of interacting with people across countries. The first step to learning about other cultures is knowing your own culture. Because we are the greatest melting pot, many of us have been taught to adapt and actually lose connection to our own culture.”

In the close of his presentation Markovits remarked that even though these five traits are his preference in leaders. Depending on the situation, a person has to think independently what kind of leader they need to be.

Everyone has the ability to be a good leader, people just need to take a chance and prove themselves in order to get up the ranks in life.

“To solve the complex problems we face in the world we need more and more effective leadership.”

UAA’s distinguished Polaris Lecture Series was established in 1980 to bring accomplished members of society to UAA. Each lecture covers a vast variety of subjects that are open to students, faculty, staff, and community members.

FEATURES

06 Tattoo studios reflect on student expression Tattoos permanence poorly understood, graduates’ job search often halted by body art decisions

By Kate Lindsley The Northern Light

Research, research, research.

These three words resonated through an interview with James Allen, one of Anchorage’s best-known tattoo artists.

Urging students to thoroughly research their artists, design, ideas and shops, Allen made it clear that understanding a tattoo is the first step in understanding its permanence.

This concept of permanence is not natural to college students, with lives constantly in ebb and flow. They’ve moved away from home, changed housing every year, and adjusted to new classroom environments each semester.

That may be why some college students choose to add something permanent to their lives: a tattoo.

“All of these different things constantly in flux, but you can still grab one element, your rock of Gibraltar, the concept that keeps you going,” Allen said, describing how a tattoo can be stabilizing.

Coral Petrie of Rebirth Tattoo by Vinnie noted that not many college students in Anchorage get tattoos they’ll regret.

“A good three-fourths of them make informed choices,” Petrie said.

For one, no one gets tattooed when they’re intoxicated.

In addition, most tattoo shops are booked up weeks in advance, which helps avoid spontaneous walk-ins.

“Sometimes they never get tattooed because they come in and they only want it right then and there, and then they can’t have it right then and there,” Petrie said.

Allen explained a good reason to wait the few weeks for a booked-up artist.

“Keep in mind that a higher quality, better an artist is, the farther out they’re going to be booked to some degree.

Don’t be afraid to wait to get your tattoo,” Allen said.

For college students who often find themselves with empty pockets, Allen suggested smart spending.

“Budget accordingly,” Allen said.

If a client wants a tattoo but can only spend $100 at that time, Allen recommends getting a tattoo outlined first and saving up to get it filled out exactly as dreamed. That way, they don’t shortchange themselves on artwork that will be

‘Tattoos are still unacceptable in the business world. All of (my young clients) are either students or recent graduates that find getting hired with a visible tattoo is difficult.’

-Eileen Johnson Solara Skin and Laser Center displayed on them forever.

“You might be happier with it ultimately. The number one tattoo regret is too small,” Allen said.

In contrast, Eileen Johnson of Solara Skin and Laser Center noted one of the biggest reasons to get a tattoo removed is that it is bigger than the client wanted.

“We see misspellings, what they want is not necessarily what the artist interpreted, the tattoo is bigger than they want,” Johnson said.

The irony of misspelled tattoos is reflected in the sign posted throughout Anchorage Tattoo Studio: CHEK YOR SPELING. The tattoo removal process is lengthy and painful, Johnson explained. Patients describe the pain as a seven or eight on a scale of one to ten, and that’s with extensive numbing. It involves between five and seven treatments each taking a half hour each. The success rate of treatment is disheartening.

“There’s only a 70 to 80 percent success rate due to the many variables in ink; tattoo ink is not FDA regulated.

Pastel colors are very hard to break up and tend to stay in the skin. Black ink that is professionally done and less then 10 years old gets the best results,” Johnson said.

In addition, Johnson noted the risks associated with tattoo removal. The patient must be healthy for the procedure and be committed to post care, as the wound needs to be treated like an invasive burn and could end up scarring.

The laser, which looks like a ray gun from a sci-fi movie, works by shattering ink molecules so the body can recognize that they’re foreign and let the immune system

KATE LINDSLEY/ TNL

The tattoo removal process, done with a powerful laser, works by shattering ink molecules under the skin’s surface. Healing time from the procedure is lengthy and must be attended to properly prevent scarring.

remove them. Technicians trained with it practice on ads in magazines. In a matter of seconds, the ink is destroyed leaving a streak across the ad as if someone used a giant eraser.

So how can students assure they don’t end up on the wrong end of this laser? Petrie, Allen and Johnson all gave the same advice: think about the art for a good long time before getting it on your body. In addition, consider where the tattoo will appear during a job interview.

Junior early education major JJ Lende, questioned the motive behind expression.

“I would want to have (a tattoo) in a place that I could hide, but why would I get a tattoo if I wanted to hide it?”

Lende said.

“It’s really important to look at the future and how it may affect your job opportunities. There’s a lot of quotes on wrists and they can’t be covered by a watch band because they’re just too big and employers easily see them. Tattoos

are still unacceptable in the business world,” Johnson said.

“All of (my young clients) are either students or recent graduates that find getting hired with a visible tattoo is difficult.”

For this reason, Johnson sees about 15 college students in an eight week cycle in the tattoo removal process, about a third of her total clientele. Sophomore psychology major Stoli Lende, sister of JJ, offered some insight on behalf of the college crowd.

“Some college kids get a tattoo because it is the ‘in’ thing to do and some have thought about it and have given it some time to think about it before actually getting the tattoo,” Lende said. “I just think everyone should think twice before putting a permanent picture on their bodies for the rest of their life.”

The three words resonated again: Research, research, research.

Seawolves’ weekly enrichment calendar 2.22.2011-2.28.2011 Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Feb. 22

Feb. 23

Feb. 24

Feb. 25

St. Lawrence Island Dance 7:00-9:00 p.m.

Gorsuch Commons

Open Mic 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Student Union, The Den

Tuesday

Black History Month: Snapshot of History: “Black Wall Street” 6:00-8:00p.m.

Library Room 307 USUAA:

Masquerade Ball 8:00-12:00 a.m.

Sheraton Hotel, Howard Rock Ballroom

Saturday

Sunday

Feb. 26

Feb. 27

Feb. 28

Poker 6:00-8:30 p.m.

Gorsuch Commons

Lecture by Assistant District Attorney: Emma Haddix 7:00-8:30 p.m.

Library Room 307

16th Annual Pacific Rim Conference on Literature and Rhetoric 2:00-3:00 p.m.

Library 3rd Floor

Monday

February 22, 2011 | FEATURES

GURU KATE

Squinty vision and getting in shape minus the gym

By Kate Lindsley The Northern Light

Why can people with bad eyesight see things better when they squint?

The irony of this question is that I was actually squinting when I read it. My eyes are tired and my contacts are going dry. And then I thought, I definitely do squint when I don’t have contacts in or glasses on. As a near-sighted person, I found this question quite pertinent to my everyday life!

For a sitcom example of squinting to improve eyesight, YouTube search “Home Improvement the eyes don’t have it part 3.” I wouldn’t doubt that this is what brought the pinhole in paper trick into vogue.

The scientific explanation is that squinting makes a pinhole camera for the eyes.

Ok I didn’t understand this at first, but I guess that when you shrink the aperture (still don’t know what that means) size to a slit, you’re making a simple lensequivalent. AHA! Lens! I know what that is.

WebMD gave an even better explanation: when you only allow straight light rays to enter the eye, it prevents refractory rays from getting in your field of vision. For those of us near-sighted people,

squinting can actually help.

WebMD also offered a seven cent alternative to $600 glasses.

Poke holes in an index card using a paper clip and hold it up in front of your eye to see. Because this technique filters out refractory light rays, you’ll be able to see distant objects a little clearer.

I don’t like to go to the gym but I know I need to work out. What is the best way to get in shape without a gym membership?

My family asks me these types of questions all the time and answering them is very personalized. It really depends on your favorite workout style, dedication level and current lifestyle.

Regardless of all of the above, I think the best way to stay fit is to keep an active lifestyle. Park far away from entrances, walk faster and don’t whine when your significant other asks you to get them a beverage.

Seriously, getting out of a chair and walking 15 feet gets your blood pumping and can strengthen relationships.

Proven fact.

Also, lift more stuff. Rearrange furniture, flip your mattress, move the stove to clean behind it. Just generally, make use of your muscles the way they were designed. Chase after wild boars with a wooden spear (just kidding… that gets dangerous.

Proven fact).

One last tidbit… according to The Healthy Eating Guide, 225 calories are burned per hour of household cleaning. This is the same as breaking-a-sweat yoga.

If you want a faster rate of calorie burning, then I suggest you turn to swimming (520 calories burned per hour), jogging (600 calories burned per hour) or biking (710 calories burned per hour).

But for those of us who have little to no perseverance, raising our everyday activity level to burn more calories (and consuming less calories in general) can really improve overall health.

07

HISTORY: Black Student Union helps organize

CONTINUED FROM COVER

and histories of black Americans over the past five centuries. The void in our history as Americans can still be filled, but only if we devote special time or energy to that goal,” Birmanns said.

In 2009, Attorney General Eric Holder was criticized for a speech on race during Black History Month.

“Though this nation has proudly thought of itself as an ethnic melting pot,” Holder said. “In things racial we have always been and continue to be, in too many ways, essentially a nation of cowards.”

Black History Month originated as a special occasion of focus and opportunity. It aims to educate youth from elementary to university level about the culture, merits, and dynamic history of an influential and inherently strong race of people.

It’s been commercialized as much as any other annual celebration that happen throughout the year: TV and radio ads feature famous African Americans selling things and ideas, promoting awareness.

“It’s not uncommon to see something going on every month,” said Marva Watson, Director of Diversity & Compliance, who helped

Ocular Device. Courtesy of TNL.

GRAPHIC BY COREY BEAUDRIE/TNL

organize this month’s events. “There’s usually something in some type of a venue whether it be film, song, dance, or readings.”

UAA has celebrated Black History Month for twenty-six years running. Students involved with the Black Student Union (BSU), AHAINA, Dr. Dewain Lee and others worked together to plan events this month. Rounding out February, the last event is the Snapshot of History presentation featuring the film “Black Wall Street” on February 24th.

“It was very nice to see,” Watson said. “This was the collaboration in supporting our students in leadership to bring forth… it’s that type of role modeling and support and guidance that makes really all of this experience even richer. We want them to be proud of their heritage.

Everyone should be proud of their cultural identity and to celebrate (it) and for all of us to embrace it.”

Ashleigh Gaines, president of BSU, summed up her purpose for the student group.

“If you don’t know where you’re coming from, you don’t know where you’re going.”

08 Latrine Dean

TNL

FEATURES| February 22, 2011

By John Budnik The Northern Light

Walking into the ConocoPhillips Integrated Science Building a sensation of awe-inspiring architecture takes hold. There are plenty of places to sit and study with a group or alone. The staircase in the middle of the atrium is reminiscent of the famous M.C. Escher artwork ‘Relativity’ as the flights of stairs jag their way to the second and third floors.

But only an analogy can help comprehend the first floor restrooms in this expansive atrium.

Boldly going where not many have gone before, because of how new this building is to our campus, I certainly hope this restroom was not the final frontier but a sign of more to come. An inspiration to seek out new life and new civilization emerges within as it resembled something comparable to a restroom on the Starship Enterprise.

It was that crisp and clean.

Upon entry into the men’s restroom every corner is illuminated by the outstanding fluorescent lighting.

The lighting itself is the foundation for the aesthetics of this restroom as nothing can be hidden in this restroom’s shadows because there are none.

When washing your hands you will notice there are fluorescent bulbs to the left and to the right of the sinks and even behind the mirrors. This gives the impression that you are using a vanity as you perfect your own aesthetics. The lighting just doesn’t compliment the restroom, it compliments you as well.

Another good aesthetic feature of this restroom is its use of color. The walls are a lime green that lend a very comfortable-homely feeling. The floor is black linoleum with white speckles that push your attention towards other aspects of this restroom.

The stall walls don a beige color and are a textured composite with no scuffs or graffiti.

The hardware in this restroom was all very new just like the building itself. The toilet seats were very ergonomic as they bowled near the back to fit any of its occupants. This was a very pleasant feature.

The hardware did reveal a significant corner that was cut, however. The hardware was all manual with levers instead of sensors. For a restroom that is this new, my expectations were high. Manual hardware in public restrooms leads to sanitation concerns with an ease of transferring bacteria from person to person. Hardware with sensors can limit this and even help on a sustainability front with limiting the use of water and paper towels.

Aesthetically, this restroom did well earning a solid four stars. It could have been five, but a disappointment in the manual hardware took that fifth one away.

Privacy was not an issue with this restroom. The stalls have plenty of elbow room and there is only a sliver of light that can penetrate through the cracks of the stall’s walls. This gives any occupant a feeling

ConocoPhillips Integrated Science Building – 1st Floor (Atrium)

of true solidarity.

The building itself is a little offset from the main flow of foot traffic on campus flowing east and west, or the Fine Arts building to the Professional Studies Building, so it doesn’t see a lot people. Privacy earns five stars.

The toilet paper wasn’t anything to throw a party over, but one aspect of it that was fascinating was the dispenser it was held in, which fits in with the aesthetics.

The toilet paper is encased in a sleek-looking, stainless-steel dispenser and situated on rolls that just glide at the flick of your finger tip. It made me wonder how they replace the toilet paper when it runs out.

The dispenser gives a notion that the toilet paper is an extension of the restroom and not just an accessory. Toilet paper earns a solid four stars.

The lighting itself is the foundation for the aesthetics of this restroom, as nothing can be hidden in this restroom’s shadows because there are none.

“It was reflective of the institution,” reported Correspondent Kellie, “it was very fluid and consistent with the design.”

Correspondent Kellie reported many of the same likenesses as that of the Men’s restrooms that were also found in the Women’s. There seemed to be little difference between the two aesthetically, privately and with the toilet paper.

One aspect she mentioned that really gave a new and exciting vibe to the Women’s restroom was the situation of the stalls. Stalls were situated along opposite sides of each other with the handicap stall sandwiched between two regular sized stalls. This, she claimed, helped with a sense of privacy because people washing their hands were not in front of any of the stall doors.

This restroom has a lot going for it and it is incumbent upon faculty staff and students to do our best to respect this restroom for its upkeep. Even though Captain Picard probably has sensors in his restroom on board the Enterprise, he wouldn’t hesitate from having to use this restroom if Starfleet asked him to teach a class here at UAA. If you’re in the area, “Make it so.”

★ ★ ★ ★★ Conoco Phillips Science Building First Floor

PHOTO BY JOHN BUDNIK/TNL

Bathrooms in the ConocoPhillips Integrated Science Building are some of the most renovated on campus; glass backsplash and quality lighting add to the peaceful ambiance.

Beard competition approaches

By Alden Lee

The Northern Light

UAA is preparing to host what some would argue to be the most aweinspiring and recreationally stimulating competition this campus has ever seen. Others would label it as the strangest tribute to untrimmed hair follicles possibly imaginable. The Northern Light is proud to preview the 2011 Beard and ‘Stache Growing Competition.

The competition, presented by the Student Union and Commuter Services, features eight different categories: Moustache, Chops, Goatee, Baby Beard, Alaskan Whaler, Grizzly Beard, Ladies and Freestyle.

No artificial dyes or color changing products are permitted in this showdown; only hairsprays and gels used to maintain the hair’s shape are allowed. The competition has been widely spoken of on the UAA campus and the nearly 100 competitors (students and faculty alike) staking their names and facial hair in the event provide definite proof toward the waves being generated.

The competitors seem to be a dedicated, unshaven bunch, ranging from professors and other faculty to a collection of the more hairy student body. There’s no doubting these contestants’ drive, females competitors included. A candid interview with one such competitor, Alyx Shroy, reveals the intense preparation and motivation necessary for the Beard and ‘Stache Competition: The Northern Light: What’re you doing to prepare yourself for this intense competition?

Alyx Shroy: My people, the Ilken, have taken beards seriously for at least over nine thousand centuries. Often one would venture into the forests to meditate for weeks at a time, eating nothing but the energy excreted by the new beard growth. Sometimes this energy is employed in forcing the follicles to grow in faster, via Ilken mindwaves. Having lost some of the intensity of my heritage and the ability to do this, I simply beard forage. This involves collecting orphan hairs and unifying them as a collective beard.

TNL: Do you have to psyche yourself up at all to get in the facial hair growing mood?

Shroy: I am always in a facial hair growing mood.

TNL: Do your hair follicles grow in quickly?

Shroy: They do grow in very quickly. Perhaps leftover beard genes from my ancient beard heritage.

‘Often one would venture into the forests to meditate for weeks at a time, eating nothing but the energy excreted by the new beard growth.’

–Alyx Shroy Beard and ‘Stache competitor TNL: What made you want to enter a beard and moustache contest in the first place?

Shroy: Other than the glory of honoring one’s bearded ancestors... I simply want to be surrounded in a forest of BEARD! After such a demonstration of the vigor and tenacity this competition is inspiring, there’s nothing left to do but watch the hair grow. And grow it is sure to do. The competition will culminate in a beard and ‘stache parade on Thursday from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Student Union.

ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT

09

Philosophy professor discusses homosexuality Dr. John Corvino deconstructs anti-homosexuality arguments to university students at Wendy Williamson

By Heather Hamilton The Northern Light

The debate over homosexuality and all that it entails has spanned over several various arguments either in favor or disfavor of treating members of the GLBTQA (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered, Questioning and Ally) community in the same manner of heterosexual Americans.

One of the key arguments for both sides deals with morality of homosexuality.

Dr. John Corvino, an assistant philosophy professor at Wayne State University in Detroit, MI, spent a few hours in UAA’s Wendy Williamson Auditorium on Thursday, Feb. 17 lecturing on the subject.

Dr. Corvino has been presenting this lecture, with minor tweaks along the way, for nearly twenty years; it began while he was a graduate student at the University of Texas at Austin.

“I was asked to do a talk on the moralities, and somebody video taped it,” Dr. Corvino said, “They started requesting that I come to campuses, and before I knew it, I was traveling around.”

Dr. Corvino’s lecture begins by stating the broad argument used by those who do not support homosexuality that homosexuality is immoral, and spends the hour-long lecture picking it apart piece by piece until it ends at where he believes the true root of the argument comes from.

“It’s just weird,” he said. Dr. Corvino, taking the position of the opposition of homosexuality for a moment, went on to ‘explain’ that homosexuality was unnatural, thus was incorrect and ultimately immoral.

Switching to a supportive side, Dr. Corvino then went on to list several unnatural things most people didn’t mind; clothing, technology, buildings and even the blue cushioned chairs the audience was sitting in.

“There’s like three different blues in there actually; I’m not judging, just saying,” he said.

Humor is a large part of how Dr. Corvino delivers his

lecture. He also says he tries to remain analytical and inoffensive as well.

During his UAA lecture, Dr. Corvino specifically addressed those in the audience who may have had opposing viewpoints to his own and urged them to remain for the question and answer session after the lecture to engage in thoughtful dialogue.

Dr. Corvino is the author of a weekly column called “The Gay Moralist,” which is published at LOGO Online’s 365gay.com, has been a guest on MSNBC’s “Scarborough Country,” several radio programs and was the recipient of a Spirit of Detroit Award in 2004 for his work in support of the GLBTQA community.

‘There’s like three different blues in there actually; I’m not judging, just saying.’

-Dr. John Corvino Writer, speaker, philosophy professor Referring to the seats in the Wendy Williamson In addition to de-constructing the opposition’s arguments, Dr. Corvino also took a few arguments made by the GLBTQA community, specifically the argument that members of that community are born that way, and weighed in with his perspective.

“Does anyone really remember? We can say, ‘For as long as I remember,’ and that’s fine, but does anyone really remember how they felt when they were born?” he said.

After an extensive question and answer period once the lecture was over, Dr. Corvino made his way to the Wendy Williamson’s front lobby to answer more questions on a personal level, so that those too shy to speak up in front of the half-filled auditorium would have a chance to ask their questions.

On Friday, Feb. 18, Dr. Corvino attended the Board of Regents Meeting at the UAA Gorsuch Commons to show support for the addition of sexual orientation to the nondiscrimination policy of the UA system.

DANIEL JACKSON/ TNL

Dr. John Corvino speaks to students, faculty, staff and community members on the morality of homosexuality in the Wendy Williamson Auditorium on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011.

10

TNL

A&E| February 22, 2011

MOVIE REVIEW

‘I Am Number Four’ familiar plot, different hero

By Heather Hamilton The Northern Light

“I Am Number Four” is a movie that has played in theaters time and time again.

A teenage protagonist struggles with high school life, either gains or discovers abilities that set them apart from their peers even further, the teenage protagonist struggles with their powers and then ultimately must use those powers to stop some sort of villain.

However, in some cases like this, the over-used plot line serves as the backbone for a decent movie.

John Smith (Alex Pettyfer “Tormented”) is a teenage fugitive on the run with his guardian Henri (Timothy Olyphant “The Crazies”).

They change their identities each time they run. When John and Henri settle in a small town in Ohio, John falls in love with Sarah, (Dianna Agron “The Hunters”) and discovers that he possesses powers.

Other than the identity changing and constant running, the movie plots plays out a little reminiscent of the first “Spider-Man” movie with Tobey Maguire back in 2002.

What “I Am Number Four” has that

i

“Spider-Man” doesn’t however, is an engaging and captivating main protagonist.

No offense to the Peter Parker character, but he isn’t much to look at (not that Maguire is ugly, but Peter Parker has always been a nerdy looking character), he’s whiny and even as Spider-Man looks less than heroic.

The John Smith character, as portrayed

by Pettyfer, is charming, visually attractive and his voice doesn’t make viewers cringe.

Pettyfer’s acting is pretty believable too.

It’s good to know that he can accurately portray a conflicted teenager, since he’ll be playing another one in “Beastly,” a modern high school take on “Beauty and the Beast” that comes to theaters on March 4.

In addition to Pettyfer’s acting, another thing to be commended about this movie are the special effects. In a sci-fi movie of any kind, effects play a large part in immersing the audience in the world of the movie.

They are meant to not only make the movie look more exciting, but also to make anything unreal look more like it belongs.

That being said, the effects in “I Am Number Four” are fantastic; any movie that can make bright blue glowing hands look natural and cool rather than cheesy is doing its job right.

On the negative side, “I Am Number Four” is painfully predictable. The formulaic base plot aside, even the little

things are easy for the audience to foresee.

There are no real surprises to keep us wondering until the very end, when someone thought to be dead is seen alive and with an attitude switch. The movie is left wide open for a sequel.

In all, while “I Am Number Four” is visually entertaining and the acting up to par, it doesn’t offer viewers anything new to chew on or mull over.

Don’t be afraid to see it in theaters, but know better than to expect something new and original when you buy those expensive tickets.

Directed by: D.J. Caruso STARRING: Alex Pettyfer, Dianna Agron RUN TIME: 110 GENRE: Sci-Fi, Action GRAPHIC: yes

★ ★★

2.08-2.14.2011

FOCUS COMPETITION

MUSIC SPORTS

Fur Rondy Grand Parade and Carnival

The Fur Rendezvous 2011 Grand Parade will pass through Downtown Anchorage’s 5th and 6th Ave. starting at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 26. The Rondy Carnival on 3rd Ave. and E St. also begins at 10:30 a.m., and will run until 9 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 26 and Saturday, March 5. The Rondy Carnival will open at 11 a.m. and run until 9 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 27 and Sunday, March 6. For more information, go to www. furrondy.net.

COMEDY

Rogue Wave Northern Californian rock band Rogue Wave will be playing a show at the Wendy Williamson Auditorium on Wednesday, Feb. 23 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for this concert are $10 for UAA students with a valid ID and $22 for the general public. Tickets can be bought at www.uaatix.com.

UAA Beard and ‘Stache Competition The UAA Beard and ‘Stache Competition is taking place on Thursday, Feb. 24 from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. in the UAA Student Union.

The competition features eight beard and mustache categories. The first place winner in each category will be eligible to participate for the grand prize; tickets to the Miners and Trappers Ball.

Tickets to compete are $10 online, $15 at the door and spectators get in free.

For more information, go to www. uaabeardnstache. tumblr.com.

Dr. Mike Brown Lecture Dr. Mike Brown, an astronomer and author of “How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming” will be giving a free lecture on Monday, Feb. 28 at 7:30 p.m. in the Wendy Williamson Auditorium. Dr. Brown is best known for his discovery of Eris, the object which led to the debate which ultimately demoted Pluto from a planet to a demi-planet. For more information, go to . http://www.gps.caltech. edu/~mbrown/

Compiled by Heather Hamilton e-mail arts@thenorthernlight.org to submit an event!

February 22, 2011 | A&E

TNL

11

Rap music: Best beats busted out in 2011

By Thomas McIntyre The Northern Light

Here are six good rap songs to hold you over until Prodigy comes home.

Wiz Khalifa – “Big Screen” Wiz’s popularity (pre “Black & Yellow”) was puzzling to me. His catalog of music up until that point didn’t warrant such adoration. I think people were more smitten with his carefree stoner image than they were moved by his music.

And while image is a large part of being an artist, the latter was trailing too far behind.

Having said that, if Wiz maintains his recent pace, all the positive attention will be justified.

“Big Screen” is the most impressive track I’ve heard from Wiz Khalifa yet. He proves—just like many other rappers have proven—that autotune is an extremely effective tool when used properly. In this case, it enhances Wiz’s frail tone, which aids him in getting his “I’m a little n**** doing big things” message across.

Wiz still slips into the mindless bravado act throughout “Big Screen”, but those moments don’t take anything away from the genuine nature of the song. After all, that mindless bravado is a big part of who he is as a rapper.

Wiz Khalifa has made giant strides in the hunt for finding his sound during the past few months. Now all he needs to do is give Domo Genesis his album title back.

Waka Flocka Flame – “Rap Game Stressful” No rapper has a better grasp on what their lane is than Waka Flocka Flame. His 2010 release, Flockaveli, was the best pound for pound rap album of the year. Better than

Kanye. Better than Ross.

When I say he knows his lane, I mean he knows how to stay true to himself as an artist. Waka isn’t Talib Kweli or J. Cole (thank goodness), and he is well aware of that. He sets out to make rowdy rap music, not thought provoking political hip-hop. Being conscious of his strongest skills is what makes him such a force.

“Rap Game Stressful” is in the same mold as “For My Dawgs”; he looks inside of himself for a minute, and speaks on what he sees. Waka’s lost his homie, ran into some legal trouble, and flirted with death in the past six months—and it’s causing him to lose hope.

Waka’s pain makes for a raw three minute and twentyfive second piece of work.

I pray that someday he will make a song about the Atlanta Hawks following the same format as “Rap Game Stressful”.

“Josh Smith went back to taking threes, Joe Johnson will make twenty-four million in 2016 (shawty I’m losin’ hope).”

Lil Wayne – “Green & Yellow’ Almost three months removed from his stint at Rikers, Wayne has finally released a song worth listening to.

“Green & Yellow”—a remake of Wiz Khalifa’s “Black & Yellow”—puts Wayne back into a comfortable position: Zoning out over somebody else’s beat.

Wayne flips “Black & Yellow” (the Steelers anthem that never mentions the Steelers) into a war cry for his favorite team, the Green Bay Packers. And if I had to choose a version, I’m taking Wayne’s.

“We knocked the Eagles and the Falcons and the Bears off, now we bout to cut Troy Polamalu’s hair off.”

I’m probably leaning towards Wayne’s because of lines like that. Or maybe it’s because I’m so elated to see him

rapping in his own space, without one of those Young Money affiliates tagging along.

And yes, the song came out a week before the Super Bowl, but it still holds up. In fact, it goes even harder now that the Packers are champs.

Rittz – “High Five” Rittz is the most exciting prospect to come out of Atlanta since Kelvin Cato. He’s a chubby redhead with cornrows and a well-kept beard. I honestly can’t believe he really exists. His biggest downfall is sounding exactly like somebody else. What makes that downfall not a huge problem: Yelawolf is that somebody else.

To imagine what “High Five” sounds like, think of Yela modernizing the 90’s Memphis sound. And mentioning Chris Benoit in the process.

A.B.N. – “RIP” “RIP” is just two Texas legends flexing their muscles.

Z-Ro and Trae are crazy talented at rapping about dead people.

Travis Porter – “Propose A Toast” Travis Porter is the Run-T.M.C. of rap; a three-headed monster made up of equal parts. Except in Porter, the three dudes are fairly interchangeable. Although, this pretty much applies to every emcee that makes up the Roscoe Dash category of rap.

Simply put, “Propose A Toast” is only for those who like feeling good.

GAME REVIEW

‘Marvel Vs Capcom 3’ does both francises justice ‘Two Worlds’ has great online play, lovingly crafted special moves, and hours of entertainment

By Bryan Dunagan The Northern Light

Long after the release of the second game has faded, Capcom releases the long awaited third installment of the “Marvel VS Capcom” series.

Possibly coming off of the high of the “Street Figter IV” reboot, Capcom has once again partnered with comic giant Marvel, and what a sweet, sweet partnership this is.

Victor Von Doom has gathered up all the Marvel villains to take over other worlds, much like in the Top Cow opus, “Wanted,” and teams up with the “Resident Evil” series villain, Albert Wesker. Together, they tear apart the fabric of time and space to destroy both the Capcom world and the Marvel world. Unfortunately for them, Galactus the world eater has come, and now there are bigger fish to fry.

The story is irrelevant, but that’s okay because the meat and potatoes of this game is the fighters and their crazy combos.

Returning are favorites from both worlds, such as Spider-Man, The Hulk, Ryu, Akuma, Morrigan, Dante and Deadpool. There are some new faces such as last year’s Crimson Viper and Chris Redfield from Resident Evil 5.

The game returns to the series’ staple of three on three team battles where the player can bring in an ally to thwart an attack, or tag them out.

Either way, the developers took time to craft each character’s special move, how to use it, and how each special attack is executed.

The comic book graphical style and the fact that the player selects their characters on a comic book cover enhance the feel of the game.

The developers even took the time to make each character true to their universe. For example, Deadpool is hilarious with all of his attacks, and even moon walks as he is moving backwards on the screen.

Not only that, he breaks the 4th wall with his victory screen as well. Another instance is Dante’s abilities. Dante uses pretty much all of the weaponry he came off with in Devil May Cry 3, and even can use his alternate form at will.

There is a downside to this though, as it seems that the developers have tailored many more moves toward certain characters. Spider-Man, Wolverine, Dante and Wesker all have insanely large move sets, whilst Felicia, Morrigan,

attacks are executed, the frame rate dips a little.

Despite this, there are no real complaints with how the matches are handled.

“Marvel VS Capcom 3” is what fans have been waiting for. It has new additions to the roster, and the robust online play will surely make this game one that will be played for quite some time.

GAME: “Marvel VS Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds” MAKER: Capcom RELEASE DATE: Feb. 17, 2011

★ ★★★

Hulk and Amaterasu have relatively small move sets.

Still, the game feels balanced when The Hulk swats away Spider-Man’s combo intensive fighting style like a fly on a hot summer’s day.

With all of this said, the online and multiplayer component is the real deal here.

Online matches are fast and furious, and will have the player wondering why 99 seconds ticked by in an instant.

There is no hiccup in the frame rate as far as the normal moves, but when some of the more graphically intensive

PLEASE RECYCLE YOUR NORTHERN LIGHT

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A&E| February 22, 2011

MUSIC REVIEW

‘Sun Bronzed Greek Gods’EP is light-hearted and fun

By Bryan Dunagan The Northern Light

There are some bands that are great just because of their sound. In the case of Dom it’s that the band has a grainy indie feel, but with some surprisingly good production values.

The vocal style is purposely fudged, but not to the point where it’s obnoxious.

Dom’s opener, “Jesus” channels “Metric” and feel good pop mixed with a great bass line.

The song also sets the tone for the album, as the narrator talks about what she did back in the good old days and wishing for something to believe in.

“Living in America” presents the idea that living in the USA is oh-so sexy, bringing up some general ideas as to why this is and isn’t so. Bringing up how everyone eats fast food, people doing what they want to and dropping bombs.

The song “Burn Bridges” takes an interesting turn in that it imitates the classic cartoon musical style of the Orient.

The album showcases that there could be a following album later, and even a brighter future for the group. Unfortunately, it’s way too short, and sometimes the group lets the songs expire before they should.

In all it’s a light-hearted, even chill, album to listen to while studying or to talk about in your circle of friends.

WORDCOUNT: 212 ALBUM: “ Sun Bronzed Greek Gods “ ARTIST: Dom RECORD LABEL: Burning Mill Records RELEASE DATE: Feb. 15, 2011

★ ★★

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OPINION

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Republicans campaign to strip womens’ rights

By Eli Johnson The Northern Light

There is an issue that has come up in this country, which honestly shouldn’t even be being talked about in this nation anymore.

There can be no question about the fact that bringing this subject to the debate table is cruel, heartless and is a service the government shouldn’t be able to withhold because of personal bias.

What should scare people is the fact that there are a lot of people who actually take a lot of what has been said recently about the reproductive rights of women and how they shouldn’t have any choice about their own bodies seriously.

This issue came to the table in a rather dramatic way. It was first introduced with on Jan. 20 this year. It came in the form of the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, which was introduced by Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J). It is a rather complicated piece of legislation, so let’s take it apart piece by piece.

“This legislation is really about whether the role of America’s government is to continue to fund [abortion] despite the fact that the overwhelming majority of Americans—even some of those who consider themselves pro-choice—strongly object to their taxpayer dollars paying for abortion,” said Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.).

It sounds so innocent, but the fact is that this legislation is actually a lot more coldhearted.

The fact is that there is already a law preventing the federal government for paying for abortions. It is called the

Hyde Amendment. This was an unfair Amendment to pass because it took out the provisions for low-income families in programs like Medicaid that covered abortions.

But there is a catch. At first, the Hyde Amendment had no exception for cases of rape and incest. However, this rightly got women’s advocates to come together and protest this. Their protests worked, and since 1976, there has been an exception in the Hyde Amendment in cases of rape and

This bill is not made to protect life, it is making a doctor have the authority to end it, to let another human being die, and with no guarantee that the fetus will live anyway! incest.

And this is where the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortions Act comes back into place. They originally wanted to remove this loophole altogether and it sounds cruel to even talk about.

The new rules stipulate that the exception to the Hyde Amendment is only in cases of “forcible rape.” Take a moment and think about that- forcible rape. The very phrase

is demeaning to women who have been victims, because for women who are the victims of statutory or date rape, well, it’s tough luck.

Something very ugly is happening in the collective consciousness of this country.

Not only are these acts basically telling women that they shouldn’t even have the option, they are also saying that certain kinds of rape are not “forcible.”

If these kinds of rape are not “forcible,” are they any less wrong? Is it any better for a woman to become pregnant with her rapists’ baby if he didn’t beat the stuffing out her? Is it any better for a young girl to be told that she will carry her father’s baby?

Where is the line that says that this kind of conversation is wrong?

Another idea that came to the table was the Protect Life Act. It was brought up by Rep. Joe Pitts (R-Pa.) and Rep. Dan Lipiniski (D-Ill.). Under this law, not only would it make it almost impossible for women to get insurance coverage for abortion, but it also gives public hospitals the authority to refuse to provide emergency abortions to save the woman’s life.

Not only does this act fly in the face of the Hippocratic Oath, which stipulates that a doctor shall do no harm, but it is a genuine statement of hypocritical indecency. This bill is not made to protect life, it is making a doctor have the authority to end it, to let another human being die, and with no guarantee that the fetus will live anyway!

It isn’t just the bill passing that matters on this issue. In fact, if the reaction of House and Senate Democrats is any indication, these provisions are going nowhere. The

real issue here in that this conversation is happening at all.

This kind of thinking is a disease. It is a cancer on American society and on the progress women have made to have full reproductive rights.

It is kind of ironic that the Tea Party says that they want a smaller government, but now they want the government to basically reign over all pregnancies.

Remember Sharron Angle, the Tea Party candidate in Nevada? She was one of the Tea Party candidates who was in favor of granting government power over the lives of women.

She said that girls who didn’t have an abortion had, “made what was really a lemon situation into lemonade.”

Christine O’Donnell, another Tea Party candidate said, “We must renew the commitment to respect all human life on which the Republican Party was founded.”

The fact that H.R.3 is not going to pass is inconsequential, because now the topic has come up. Now it is apparently fair-game to talk about letting women in this country die, and not giving women who have suffered a horrible crime the right to choose. It used to be that even if the Republicans were against abortion, they wouldn’t talk about taking away a woman’s choice for rape and incest cases.

The issue here is that this government should have no right to tell women what they can and cannot do with their own bodies.

It’s as simple as that.

Modern feminism distorts truth on gender wage gap

By Daniel McDonald The Northern Light

Apart from a few radicals, most Americans believe in equality. The great disagreement comes when people try to determine what equality actually is. On one side are those concerned with establishing the optimal environment for the equality of opportunity, while the other side wants to guarantee the equality of results. Feminism began as a necessary movement to allow women many of the choices formerly only available to men.

Unfortunately, modern feminism has transformed into nothing more than a racket of victims looking to gain special privileges.

From lower physical requirements for female firefighters, soldiers, and police officers, to quotas in sports with the enactment of Title XI, modern feminist causes have been about special treatment over equal treatment. Perhaps the clearest example of this is the way in which feminists have tackled the issue of the so-called gender income gap.

The National Organization for Women (NOW) for example loves to tout the fact that women’s median annual salary is only “78 cents for every $1.00” earned by men.

But like most of these statistics, they are used to paint a story that just isn’t so. Several feminist groups claim that this wage gap is evidence of systematic discrimination against women in the workplace and are

using it to pass legislation such as the Paycheck Fairness Act. Regrettably, the conclusion of the feminists has no basis in reality.

The first problem with their line of reasoning is that one cannot assume discrimination based on unequal results.

For example, 75 percent of public educators in the United States are female according to the National Education Association. To conclude that this gender gap in employment is due to discrimination toward males in the public school system is not even taken seriously, nor should it be, but this same logic somehow applies to the wage gap.

The most reasonable explanation for the lack of male public educators is that men simply choose not to become teachers at the same rate as women. This issue of choice also happens to be at the heart of the gender income gap. The inconvenient truth of the matter is that women lag behind men in wages because of the choices they make.

Women tend to go into different areas of study, choose different sorts of jobs (often with less risks involved), and manage their home lives with different considerations than men.

The Labor Department issued a study in 2009 which concluded that difference in income between the genders “are the result of a multitude of factors and that the raw wage gap should not be used as the basis to justify corrective action. Indeed, there may be nothing to correct. The differences in raw wages may be almost entirely the

result of the individual choices being made by both male and female workers.”

This study only reinforced what has been known by most economists for a relatively long time. In a recent interview, economist Thomas Sowell noted that in 1969, unmarried women earned a higher income than men who were never married, they also became tenured professors at a higher

Unfortunately, modern feminism has transformed into nothing more than a racket of victims looking to gain special privileges. rate than men who were never married.

The variable to look for is marriage and child rearing, two choices that make a very big difference in determining the lifetime income of women.

It’s true that feminist groups use this dishonest wage gap statistic to push their agenda, but they often forget other very important facts as it relates to gender in the workplace. One statistic you never hear NOW using to petition Congress for

in order to promote equity is the gender difference in workplace related deaths.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2008 men accounted for 93 percent of all workplace fatalities, even though women were responsible for 43 percent of all hours worked. Of course this statistic goes back to the point that men typically are willing to take on riskier jobs than women. Riskier jobs often mean higher pay.

Another angle not often considered by those who fret over the wage gap is that it makes little sense to an employer. If women truly did equal work for less pay, why would an employer ever hire a man except as a last resort? Businesses have one primary objective, and that is to turn a profit. If an employer could hire a woman and pay her a significantly lower rate than what it would have to pay a man, with equal results, what business wouldn’t take advantage of a deal like that?

Facts are stubborn things. Men choose fields that tend to earn more income and are more likely to work longer hours. Women are more likely to be selective when choosing work, taking flexibility and environment into account, as well as time for children and family. So before anyone participates in the upcoming feminist rallies in April to show their solidarity, consider how baseless the wage-gap grievance really is. Sadly enough, the wage gap fallacy is only the tip of the iceberg in the emotionally charged movement that is modern day feminism.

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OPINION| February 22, 2011

SOAPBOX

Diary entries from inside Egypt An Egyptian professor’s inside look at the Jasmine Revolution

By Heba Salem

Special to The Northern Light

January 21 I was preparing to attend a teacher training workshop in Europe, and I met with my teaching assistant, Dina, because I was going to miss the first two teaching days of the new semester.

When Dina said she was planning to join the protests on Police Day, a national holiday, I tried to discourage her. I was really worried about her getting injured because I know how violent our police can be. I told her that we cannot be like Tunisia and our president is not like the Tunisian president.

This slogan was on Facebook and was also sent as a text message.

It says: 25th of January: Change day. Tunis has done it on the 15th and Egypt will do it on the 25th.

January 25 – Police day Egyptian TV was filled with songs, movies, and celebrations for the occasion of Police day.

I could not believe what I saw while surfing though the channels. Thousands of people in Tahrir Square, down town, where I teach!! People calling and chanting: “Freedom, change, social justice.”

Non-Egyptian channels were saying the protesters were young people and all is peaceful. I thought of Dina at the demonstrations.

January 27 I took a 6:00 am taxi to airport, and talked with the driver about the demonstrations. He said that those people are so optimistic, they think they can change and make the president step down as the Tunisians did. Airport. Plane.

London.

January 28 I watched the BBC World report about the protests in Cairo.

Violence, tear gas, guns, police fighting with people, and people falling. Could not hold back my tears. Called my daughter and could not get through. Called my son and could not get through.

Called my mom, and it was the same: “Your call cannot be completed.”

I sent text messages and expected replies, but there were no replies. I’d heard more news about the violence between the police and the protesters, and I tried to contact my family through the internet. After paying to use the Internet in four different locations, each time I was unable to access my email. I learned that there is no internet, nor

mobile access at home at all and that things are getting worse and worse. I was going crazy. I was in constant tears as I watched TV— tear gas, violence, as if it was me who was getting the tear gas, so cold, freezing cold, heater on, still cold… no sleep, still not in touch with anyone at home.

January 29 My daughter’s birthday. 21 years old. Could not call her.

Still in tears. Watched the news with some friends. Violence.

Thugs in streets. Camels in Tahrir Square! Horses! People falling dead, shot by the police. Stones.

Anger everywhere. We were all watching. All in tears. No talk.

No tea. No coffee. No dinner.

Nothing. Worries about people at home. Not access to my email yet! I Could access internet from London of course, however, my mail was impossible.

February 10 Back from Europe yesterday.

It is now Solidarity week. I went to Tahrir Square, just for half an hour. The army checks everyone going in and coming out. So safe. Like a carnival. Masses of people. Haven’t experienced one harassment incident. People chanting: Leave! Leave! Leave!

The chants have become more insulting for the president. Now they don’t just want to fail the regime, they are asking the President Mubarak literally to quit.

There was an announcement that the President will deliver a speech tonight. When the speech began, we stared at each other and could not believe what we were hearing. The President was talking in the future tense. All the kids screamed.

In the middle of the speech he said that he gives the authority to Vice President Suliman, but the way he said it—just in one sentence in the middle of the speech—he will not step down until next September.

We all kept quiet. No comments.

I just didn’t understand what has happened. Surfing through the channels. Anger and range in the square. I couldn’t sleep. I felt so down, so depressed.

February 11 I was up early, but there was no Coffee and no talking. Then the phone calls began. “Do you want to go?” No, I am so depressed.

No, I am not going. No. No. No. Finally, I decided to go.

People who were not at the protests were described as cowards. We are not cowards—we are in Tahrir Square. People from the army were checking us.

It was so crowded—even more than the day before. More and more people.

More chants of insults to the President.

I felt a bit sad that President Mubarak had to be insulted in that bitter way. It would have been

more dignifying for him if he had left before those insults. I felt he is too old for that and wished from all my heart that he would have done it sooner—before being insulted. Wished he would have done it even years and years earlier. I felt sorry for him being humiliated at that age. I know I should not sympathize with him.

I didn’t, but I just felt sorry for the humiliation of the old man.

Suddenly, people began screaming and waving the flags, he stepped down!! He stepped down!! We made it !! My friends and I burst into tears. I Couldn’t explain the tears. Happiness and bitterness!! I could not believe it.

Hundreds of people, chanting and waving flags. Boys and girls, men and women, young and old. There were tears, tears and more tears.

I received text messages from friends in other Arab countries: “You made it guys!” I was happy, but it was not me who made it. It was the young kids who have made it. Why people are congratulating me? I blamed myself and the self blame is still persisting till now in my mind. It was my generation that helped the dictator to stay longer. My silence and my fear helped him and all the people around him to grow stronger and stronger.

How did these kids grow up?

What was different between the way I grew up and the way they did. I grew up with parents who have suffered politics in the 60’s and raised us to stay away from politics in order to live safer.

Complaints were only told among friends or written in personal diaries, but never spoken out loud. We never raised our voices.

Our silence was so helpful for the tyrants and dictators.

I’m proud of the younger generation. Had they listened to their parents telling them, go home, he is not stepping down, he is staying, it is no use…..President Mubarak would have still been there, and maybe the police would have caused trouble for all of the protestors. I thought of Dina and her friends and how brave they were, and about the young boys and girls who were killed by the police. They were killed for all of us.

Now I think about the tough road we have to before us and of the role I can play now. Although, I had no role in putting us on the correct path, maybe I will have a role future.

Linda Hardyman contributed to The Northern Light in 2004.

During her time as a UAA student, she spent a year studying in Egypt. She is friends with Mrs. Salem and suggested she submit this to The Northern Light.

Heba Salem is a Senior Arabic Professor at The American University in Cairo. She holds a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications from Cairo University, and a Master’s degree in Teaching Arabic as a Second Language from the American University in Cairo.

February 22, 2011 | OPINION

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EDITORIAL

Raising age of compulsory education is unhelpful U.S. colleges are the best in the world because they treat their students with respect. To a greater degree than high school, college centers around the student. This contributes to the less depressing, open environment--where leaning is valued more so than obedience. Unlike high school, college asks for student input and allows mobile scheduling, among many other things.

High schools will not improve until they mimic the practices that have made U.S colleges great. These practices include extending respect toward their students.

Unfortunately, parents and legislators often vote in ways that move public education further from the college model.

They take control away from students, trusting themselves to make better decisions, even though they don’t have to live with the consequences and have not experienced the high school atmosphere for decades. This arrogant stance results in the disrespectful attitude that encourages students to drop-out.

The latest misfire is Senate Bill 9. SB9 would raise the compulsory age of education to 18. Alaska State Senator Betty Davis (D) provided a statement in defending the bill.

“By increasing the school attendance age to 18, this bill should discourage earlier dropouts and reduce juvenile crime, teen pregnancy and other at risk behaviors. Studies have found that students without a diploma earn less than 75% of those with a diploma; they are more likely to live in poverty, go to jail, and have health problems”.

If school has yet to discourage these behaviors by 16, what profound introspection and conversation will students experience in the next two years? The bill does not care about learning as much as pushing complacent students toward a diploma. It reflects an assumption that unfortunately shapes most public schools: the longer you stay, the more you learn. This attitude make schools

resemble prisons more than grounds for personal growth: you earn a diploma because you served a certain term—if you learned anything at all is not of concern to law makers.

In fact, this bill does not even consider learning. Senators make no effort to hide this.

“The hope here is that as kids stay in school that more will graduate. That’s the bottom line. That’s what we’re all hoping,” Senator Kevin Meyer (R) said.

Elsewhere, the senators acknowledge the value of learning. They are trying to improve the prospects of

‘The hope here is that as kids stay in school that more will graduate.

That’s the bottom line. That’s what we’re all hoping’ –Senator Kevin Meyer R-Alaska people who would drop out of college by protecting them from a decision whose severe consequences seem far away.

But there are better ways to serve would-be high school drop-outs.

One is to make passing the High School Qualifying Graduation Exam (HSQGE) a valuable achievement. A high school diploma—literally—signifies very little: just passing the HSGQE and completing 22.5 credits (unlike college there is no minimum GPA). If the HSGQE represents 50 percent of a diploma, why not recognize this benchmark? If the only concern is to send drop-outs into

the world with some formal document that stresses their worth, why not give students the option that the HSGQE be that document?

As is, SB9 will have serious backfire. Last year, Alaskan schools saved 15 million dollars when 1,400 students dropped out. If this bill is passed, educators will lose that money, which could be spent making public high school more enticing, so that student won’t want to leave in the first place.

Stories on the subject have framed it as raising the dropout rate. It is actually raising the age where you are forced to stay in high school. According to this bill, if you earn a GED or gain all 22.5 credits by 16, you cannot leave for another two years. And if a student started school at four, and graduated at 17, he would have to provide parental consent to graduate.

This policy is another example of legislators and parents determining the rules that govern the daily atmosphere of high school life. Many would agree that high school is a miserable atmosphere compared to college, and that is due in part to who makes the decisions. High school students did not decide that school should begin five times a week precisely at 7:30 am, or that their actions should be directed by bells ringing in 55 minute intervals.

Unions, teachers, parents, and administrators have more say in selecting teachers than the high school students, though high school students daily interact with these teachers; their education depends on them. Asking student input in little matters can have a huge difference.

If high school students would only be asked, the high school environment would be less depressing and more stimulating: even to the point that students actually choose to attend.

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OPINION| February 22, 2011

The Northern Light 3211 Providence Drive Student Union 113 Anchorage, AK 99508 Phone: 907-786-1513 Fax: 907-786-1331 info@thenorthernlight.org

EXECUTIVE EDITOR 786-1434 editor@thenorthernlight.org Jerzy Shedlock MANAGING EDITOR 786-1313 content@thenorthernlight.org Shana Roberson COPY EDITOR copy@thenorthernlight.org Vacant

“Some of what I’ve heard coming out of Wisconsin, where they’re just making it harder for public employees to collectively bargain generally, seems like more of an assault on unions,” President Barack Obama

NEWS EDITOR 786-1576 news@thenorthernlight.org Matthew Caprioli

“We fight to free South Africa, we win. We marched in Cairo, Egypt, we win. We march in Madison, Wisconsin, we win.”

FEATURES EDITOR 786-1567 features@thenorthernlight.org Kate Lindsley

Rev. Jesse Jackson

PHOTO EDITOR 786-1565 photo@thenorthernlight.org Daniel Jackson WEB EDITOR 786-1506 web@thenorthernlight.org Ashley Snyder

“I saw some of them speak on TV, and they were very proud of the action that they took. I’m very proud of what they are doing.”

Sen. Nancy Pelosi D-Calif.

LAYOUT EDITOR layout@thenorthernlight.org Brittany Bennett ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR news2@thenorthernlight.org Alec Martinez ASSISTANT FEATURES EDITOR features2@thenorthernlight.org Vacant ASSISTANT A&E EDITOR arts2@thenorthernlight.org Vacant GRAPHIC DESIGNER graphics@thenorthernlight.org Corey Beaudrie ADVERTISING MANAGER 786-4690 ads@thenorthernlight.org Mariya Proskuryakova ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE Vacant CIRCULATION ASSISTANT Munkh-Erdene Tsend-Ochir PHOTOGRAPHERS Patrick McCormick CONTRIBUTORS Alden Lee Bryan Dunagan Daniel McDonald Eli Johnson John Budnik Sean Talbot Thomas McIntyre MEDIA ADVISER Paola Banchero ADMINISTRATIVE ADVISER Annie Route

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 5,000. 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.

To deny a quorum on union bill

Glenn Beck

“The protesters have every right to have their voices heard, but I’m not going to be intimidated into thinking I should ignore the voices of the five-and-a-half million taxpayers,” Gov. Scott Walker R-Wis.

A&E EDITOR 786-6198 arts@thenorthernlight.org Heather Hamilton SPORTS EDITOR 786-1512 sports@thenorthernlight.org Taylor Hall

Democratic State Senators flee Wisconsin

“Wisconsin is sending state troopers out to find the democrats, who are like little girls who’ve run to another state, they’re gonna loose so they’re like ‘Boohoo Mommy.’ ”

Where do YOU stand?

Visit thenorthernlight.org and click on Opinion Roundup to vote

“(Republicans) are daring to speak the truth about the dire fiscal challenges Americans face at all levels of government, and daring to commit themselves to solutions that will liberate our economy and help put our citizens on a path to prosperity.”

House Speaker John Boehner R-Ohio.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Re: ‘Breaking News: Report on UA states the obvious’ The article “Breaking News: Report on UA states the obvious” in the February 8 edition of The Northern Light reflected a general dissatisfaction among students at UAA in several areas.

As the article stated, we hate our parking and food choices.

Okay, I can accept that one. I don’t like trolling the parking lot like a shark for a spot any more than the next person, and sometimes I don’t like my options of Subway versus Chinese in the Union.

But when the UA report finds that students are dissatisfied with their financial aid assistance, and the article backs up the report with a student opinion agreeing with it, I had to stop and scratch my head for a moment.

Yes, I’ve been frustrated with my financial aid. Yes, I agree that the University could use some improvement in this area.

What irks me is the following quote from a UAA student: “They need to go to each student individually and then talk to them because I didn’t even know about how to go to financial aid…They’re

just not being aggressive enough.”

If this is the general student opinion regarding financial aid, then we have a problem. And I don’t mean “we” as in UAA—I mean “we” as in us students. Time to wake up, everyone. We’re in college now, and it’s time to start taking responsibility for our own education and our lives. I’ve never “not known” about the FAFSA. Flyers everywhere around campus tell us not only when the deadline is, but where to go and who to contact if we have questions.

The University sponsors workshops to aid in filling out FAFSAs, and whenever I’ve had issues with my financial aid, my emails have been responded to promptly and the staff at the financial aid office work diligently to assist me.

The student edition of the Green and Gold Daily always posts information regarding the FAFSA, as well as other important financial aid info such as available scholarships and their deadlines.

Flyers litter the Student Union and the Sky Bridge. Pick any bulletin board on campus, and I bet there’s some information regarding

financial aid and scholarships.

The information is out there, folks, and just because it’s not popping up as a personalized ad on Facebook doesn’t mean it’s not within reach.

As young adults, it’s our responsibility to seek out information pertinent to our educational goals, and that means figuring out financial aid.

If we start actively participating in the process, we the students can bridge the gap between our needs and available financial aid resources.

The University is not our enemy. They want us to succeed.

They want us to graduate. But it’s time we start taking more responsibility as students in the financial aid process and start seeking out the resources available to us instead of waiting for them to arrive on a silver spoon.

Stacie Meisner UAA Student-athlete

PRIDE

CHIDE

UA Board of Regents...

UA Board of Regents...

for adding sexual orientation to anti-discrimination policy.

for completely ignoring public testimony on gender identity.

CORRECTIONS It was originally reported that the USUAA Assembly, organized the UAA Day of Service in the February 15, 2011 issue. In fact, it was the UAA Assembly, which is a group of faculty, students and staff, that organized the event.

We apologize for the mistake.

-The Northern Light Quotes in the Feb. 15 article “President to faculty senate: ‘I owe you an apology’” were attributed to Dr. Susan Wilson. The quotes were in fact from Dr. Susan Modlin.

We apologize for the misattribution.

-The Northern Light

SPORTS

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‘Wolves look for revenge in 18th annual Governor’s Cup

By Taylor Hall The Northern Light

It’s time for the UAA Seawolves and the UAF Nanooks to rekindle their rivalry and battle it out for the 18th annual Alaska Airlines Governor’s Cup. For the Seawolves, it will be a shot at redemption as they aim to reclaim the cup and in-state bragging rights.

The series will feature a home game for each school starting with the teams facing off in Fairbanks on Feb. 25 in the Carlson Center.

The action will then come south to Anchorage for the rematch on Feb. 26 at the Sullivan Arena.

“I expect it to be tight both nights,” said Head Coach Dave Shyiak. “The games are always fun against Fairbanks and it’s been one of our goals to get back the Governor’s Cup.” The ‘Wolves (11-16-3, 10-4-2 WCHA), are coming off a home split over 13th ranked Nebraska Omaha. UAA took the first game 3-2 over the visiting Mavericks but lost the rematch 4-1 over the newcomers to the WCHA. They now sit in eighth place in the WCHA standings and are a point out of seventh and two points away from the coveted sixth place that would claim them home ice advantage in the first round of the WCHA postseason.

The Nanooks (13-14-5, 10-135-3 CCHA) are coming off their own split on home ice in their final CCHA conference series of the

following night.

The teams can now fully set their sights on one another. UAA fans may still feel the sting of

able to sweep the series 2-0 and take the cup back to Fairbanks for the first time since 2006. The ‘Wolves, who had won the three

PHOTOS BY PATRICK MCCORMICK/TNL

Senior Sean Wiles sends up a spray of snow during Saturday’s 4-1 loss to UNO. Wiles scored the ‘Wolves only goal of the evening and had a two goal weekend.

year. They defeated the Michigan State Spartans 4-1 in the opener but dropped a 6-2 decision the

watching UAF skate away with all the glory.

Last year, the Nanooks were

previous Governor’s Cups, fell 7-4 at home and then 3-2 in Fairbanks.

“We got it the first two years I

was here and it’s not something we wanted to lose last year and was a tough loss for us so we want to be bring that thing back here this year,” said senior forward Tommy Grant, who posted a goal and two helpers in last years series.

The ‘Wolves were haunted by UAF’s Andy Taranto who had three goals and an assist the first night in Anchorage. The then freshman forward added a helper in the second game to help seal the series for the Nanooks.

Also helping the ‘Nooks cause was goaltender Scott Greenham who turned away 42 of 48 shots to get a pair of wins in net over the Seawolves.

The series win also gave UAF the 9-8 edge in the overall Governor’s Cup series, which has been taking place since 1993.

“It’s always a huge match for not only us as players but the whole school and the whole town,” Grant said. “The rivalry in anything between Anchorage and Fairbanks is huge.”

This year with the series starting in the interior of Alaska, Grant believes the first game could be the make or break contest for UAA. “I think if we come out hard Friday night (in Fairbanks) and set the tempo, it going to make the game here much easier at home,”

SEE CUP PAGE 18

PHOTOS BY PATRICK MCCORMICK/TNL

Top Left: Senior winger Tommy Grant loads up a one time slapshot during the second period of Friday nights 3-2 win over the Mavericks of Nebraska Omaha. Grant was stymied on several chances before burying a go ahead goal in the second on a brilliant pass from Alex Gellert.

Left: Freshman Jordan Kwas, senior Tommy Grant and Junior Brad Gorham welcome sophomore Alex Gellert to the celbratory huddle after Grant’s go ahead goal in the second.

Gellert made an excellent no look pass and grant buried the one timer to put the ‘wolves ahead 2-1. UAA would finish with a 3-2 win on Daniel Nashlund’s game winning goal.

Above: Senior center Craig Parkinson takes the draw Friday night. Parkinson pulled back 16 of 27 faceoffs in UAA’s 3-2 win.

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CUP: Nanooks, ‘Wolves take to ice for state bragging rights CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17 Grant said.

If the Seawolves could get a win or tie in Fairbanks, the series may be all but over as they have been nearly untouchable at home lately. They have won five of the last six home games at the Sully and are 8-5-3 overall this year on their pond.

Grant, UAA’s leading scorer with 11-14-25 totals on the year so far, has remained hot as of late. Freshman Matt Bailey (10-10-20) saw his six-game point-scoring streak snapped against UNO on Feb. 19 but has looked more and more dangerous and has found some chemistry with his linemates senior Nick Haddad and junior Mitch Bruijsten.

Freshman Rob Gunderson got the nod in both games against the Mavericks and now has a .898 save percentage to go along with his 2.72 goals against average.

UAF comes into the series as a squad that is offensively led by freshman forward Cody Kunyk (10-12—22 points), senior forward Kevin Petovello (9-11—20 points) and senior defenseman Joe Sova (4-16—20).

On the other end of the ice, you can pretty much pencil in Greenham as the starter for both games. He has started all 32 games and has a 2.13 goals against average that ranks 10th in the nation in that category.

Coupled with his .921 save percentage (good for 15th nationally).

The teams offensively seem to be evenly matched. UAF owns a razor thin advantage in goals scored per game edging UAA 2.31 to 2.27. UAF also takes the slim advantage on the power play as they have converted 15.1 percent on their man advantages as compared to UAA’s 14.7 percent.

Special teams has been critical for the ‘Wolves lately. They have been posting impressive numbers since returning after the Winter break.

Dating back to Jan. 14, the ‘Wolves have killed 52 of 57 penalties for a 91.2 percent penalty kill rate.

“It’s been a big reason why we’ve been having success in the wins column,” Shyiak said.

Even more impressive, perhaps, is their power play as of late. The ‘Wolves have converted 10 of their 49 opportunities with the extra man since Jan. 14, good for 20.3 percent. That is thanks in large part to a stellar 37 percent power play conversion rate (10 of 27) at home since that same date.

“On the power play, I think we’ve been good all year long but we weren’t capitalizing on our chances early on in the season,” Shyiak said. “These past eight to ten games, the puck has been finding the back of the net for us.”

Whichever team can establish their special teams and stay out of the penalty box will gain the upper hand on the other one.

If there is one thing the past meetings between these two teams have taught us, it’s expect nothing but hard-hitting and emotional hockey when the two teams take to the same ice sheet.

“When it comes to that time, everybody going to be excited so it’s not difficult to get up for those games,” Grant said.

PHOTO BY PATRICK MCCORMICK/TNL

UAA Seawolf Thunder on Friday, Feb. 18.

RITEKWIANG: Student-athlete mourned CONTINUED FROM COVER

Association’s Academic All-America team, and he excelled as an athlete in his time as a track & field and cross country runner at UAA. Last fall he earned all-region honors as the Seawolves captured the West Region team title, and he was the fourth Seawolf across the line at the NCAA Championships, where UAA placed eighth as a team,” Dr.Cobb said.

In the 2010 cross-country season Ritekwiang

placed his best finish at the Hawaii Invite finishing fifth (15:06).

“We are devastated by the loss of one of our outstanding student-athletes. Counselors have been made available to students and staff. We respectfully request that the privacy of our students and Seawolf athletic employees be respected as we grieve William’s passing,” Dr.Cobb said.

February 22, 2011 | SPORTS

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UAA teams have definitely earned their frequent flyer miles

By Taylor Hall and Megan Edge The Northern Light

UAA teams constantly have to take their game on the road. This would be all good and fine except that their nearest opponent outside of UAF is 1326 miles away (Simon Fraser in Burnaby, British Columbia). Instead of hoping in a bus or vans to go over to the next nearest university to play, they rack up some serious air miles.

Would you like the aisle, middle, or window seat for this flight?

They also are in and out of hotels at an alarming rate.

Make sure you are up by 7 o’clock to catch the complimentary breakfast.

The teams here at UAA are the definition of road warriors and they’ve got no time to complain about their schedules.

“It’s just part of the culture here, traveling so far so often,” said Dr. Steve Cobb, UAA’s Athletic Director.

“Until you take your show on the road and beat somebody, you’re all hype.

“We take a lot of pride in being good road teams.”

Taking their talents where ever the next flight itinerary says can be taxing on the student-athletes.

“Over the course of a season, it can be a grind,” Dr. Cobb said. “Our student athletes spend a lot of time in airplanes and living in airports.

“But we think we should be a little better at it than other teams because we do it every other week.”

Some teams travel more frequently. Others travel further distances. Then there are some teams that just travel anywhere but here.

Track and Field – zero home meets.

Cross Country Running – last home meet was in 2009.

Gymnastics – over halfway through their season and haven’t had home meet yet.

Ski team – no home meet.

These teams wear the green and gold of UAA but are rarely, if at all, seen here in a home contest.

Not to say these teams don’t prosper away from the UAA campus.

The Track and Field and Cross Country teams soared to new heights last year with numerous All-American honors and numerous GNAC championships to add to growing trophy case.

The ski and gymnastics teams are continuing to build upon their programs already strong reputation and continue to contend for conference and individual championships.

It doesn’t stop there though as the UAA basketball, volleyball, and hockey teams are enjoying or have already had stellar years in which they are right in the middle of conference success and beyond into the playoffs.

These success throughout the teams here at UAA don’t come without struggle, however, as it means a lot of time away from the classroom.

“Any student athlete in any school has to deal with both the travel and missing classes, “ said Tommy Grant, a senior forward for the Seawolf hockey team. “It’s never something you get used to but as time goes on and you’re a senior it seems to get a bit easier as time goes on.”

However, a lot of teams try to counter that team study sessions.

“We got a mandatory study session,” said Paul Stoklos, UAA’s Head Gymnastics coach who is in his 26th season as the head of the program. “It will be breakfast until nine o’clock and then the girls are out there with their laptops out getting work done for two hours after that.”

Well, they must be doing something right. Last year alone, 10 of the Seawolves gymnasts made their way onto their conference’s AllAcademic Team.

Other coaches, like Chris Green, the UAA Volleyball coach, thinks that his teams are perhaps even better prepared because the coaches can control their daily schedule on the road.

“With our routine on the road, we’re able to make sure the team is getting seven to eight hours of sleep and we eat three good meals a day,” Green said, whose team has gone 12-5 in conference road games the past two seasons combined. “We have a study time and a practice time.”

Of course, many athletes will tell you a balance has to be found in order top be successful as a student and as an athlete.

“Being a student athlete is hard to balance the whole education and the athletics, especially on the road,” said Sarah Herrin, a senior guard for the women’s basketball team who helped UAA go 8-4 on the road this year. “It’s nice having professors that accommodate to your needs and it’s nice having blackboard to submit stuff online.”

Luckily, the world has shrunk due to the internet and it has made life easier on both athletes and coaches. Players can stay caught up with their classes back home from the road and coaches can proctor exams and keep tabs with professors back home.

With all the teams logging tons of miles in the skies, they do get the perks of accumulating some miles that help pay for later travels.

“I think last year I flew over 80,000 miles,” said Michael Friess, head coach of both the UAA Track and Field and Cross Country teams. “We have a lot of athletes here that within a year could approach 50,000 miles fore sure and reach those levels called gold.”

02.22-02.28.2011

Where are the ‘Wolves?

Feb. 17

Feb. 18

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL WESTERN WASHINGTON AT BELLINGHAM, WASH. 6:00 P.M.

HOCKEY NEBRASKA OMAHA AT SULLIVAN ARENA 7:07 P.M.

MEN’S BASKETBALL SAINT MARTINS AT LACEY, WASH. 6:30 P.M.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SIMON FRASER AT BURNABY, B.C. 4:15 P.M. MEN’S BASKETBALL WESTERN OREGON AT MONMOUTH ORE. 6:00 P.M.

Feb. 19 HOCKEY NEBRASKA OMAHA AT SULLIVAN ARENA 7:07 P.M.

GRAPHIC BY COREY BEAUDRIE/TNL

Now if there was a way to get rid of that jet lag Seawolf teams inevitably have to battle with each trip.

Also, if there was a way to cut down costs. The UAA Athletic Program is forced into putting a good portion of their budget towards the constant travel.

“The national average in Division II is programs spend about 15 percent of their total budget on travel, ours is 40 percent,” Dr. Cobb said. “That creates problems everywhere else that means something has to give and that’s the unique challenge for us.”

So how do the Seawolves deal with it? A “no excuses or complaints, just win” mentality seems to go a long way.

“We can’t talk about (the travelling),” said Tim Moser, head coach of the women’s basketball team. “A lot of teams complain about it but we can’t because it’s part of the nature of Alaska How does UAA take those complaints from outsiders who think its rough when they have to make their one trip up to Alaska each year?

“There are a couple of them out there who are whiners that complain they have to come all the way up here,” Dr. Cobb said. “We just laugh at them because we travel every other week.”

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By Megan Edge The Northern Light

Junior Nordic skier Steffi Hiemer, has been competing with The University of Alaska Anchorage since 2009. Before UAA Hiemer competed in the skiing Junior World Championships, and took third place at FIS Continental Cup. In 2006 Hiemer took first place at the German Championships. This AllAmerican also skied for the Kruen Ski club for 15 years.

An interview with Steffi Hiemer How do you feel about the season so far?

I’ve had a lot of fun racing so far. It finally feels good to hard, which motivates me a lot. We also have a really competitive girls’ team this season, and it feels good to contribute to our common goal.

What are you doing differently this year compared to last year?

I am definitely feeling improvement from last year. In contrast to last year I didn’t have to deal with any major health issues during the fall preparation. In addition to that it helps to get used to the lifestyle of a student athlete in Alaska, which takes a lot of stress out of my life.

How do you motivate yourself?

When I quit ski racing in

Germany and decided to be a member of the ski team at UAA, I had major motivation problems, since I didn’t have the Olympic dream anymore.

I finally was able to find different goals again in order to motivate myself to ski fast.

Do you struggle being so far from home?

To study and ski thousands of miles away from home can definitely be hard, and Skype helps a lot to talk to friends and family as much as much as possible.

However, the unique experience I am making by living on a different continent are why I enjoy so much what I am doing.

Is it hard being a student athlete?

I have always been a student athlete and I could not imagine going to school without getting my daily workouts in. I am more focused on school when I have some balance between mental and physical challenges. During the first -half of the spring semester we are on the road more than we are in the classroom. I really appreciate the cooperation of my professors, who give me the possibility to make up exams or to catch up on other schoolwork.

What are the expectations on the ski team?

The academic expectations on the Nordic team are high, and we are all working hard to meet these expectations.

What is your biggest challenge?

My biggest challenge is to perform as well as I can in both the classroom and on the ski trails.

Who do you see as leaders on the 2011 ski team?

We only had a few returning athletes this year, and we are welcoming five freshman. All returning athletes try to be examples for new athletes. We older skiers are all taking part in leadership roles. Our senior Kelsey Coolidge is the most experienced on and adds the most to the team.

How do you feel about the coaching staff on the ski team?

Our coach Trond is an excellent skier and mountain runner, and he is also extremely modest. We are all lucky to have a coach who knows exactly what it feels like to be an athlete, and we look up to him in many ways. I appreciate a lot how Trond is paying attention to everybody’s individual development and he always has a open ear for any issues or concerns.

Coaches View An interview Head Ski Coach Trod Flagstad: How is Steffi skiing competing compared to last season?

Steffi is skiing better and she is more consistent with her results and some of that is because she trained well in the off -season (summer) at home in Germany.

She has also had a solid fall of training in Anchorage with the team and avoided being sick and injured.

What would you consider Steffi’s season highlight?

Her season highlight is probably that she is skiing very consistent and she has been our best skier since November races in Fairbanks. She has five top 10 placing so far and is ranked number four on the MVP list in the RMISA.

What does she need to work on this season?

What she needed to work on this season was to train better in the off season and be more consistent with her quality workouts. She did this and it is helping her. At this point there is not much more to do training wise other than try and peak for the NCAA in March.

Would you consider Steffi a leader?

Steffi leads by example. She has a lot of experience and knows a lot of things about XC skiing. She is always there at practice on time and ready to go. She also never gives up even if she is having a bad day. In addition to that she is a very good student and always works on homework while we are on the road, which sets another good example four our younger student athletes.

Year: Junior Hometown: Kruen, Germany Birthday: Dec. 29, 1988 Major: Biology Awards: All-American (2010)

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE UAA ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT

OVERTIME

You stay classy Fairbanks, we expect nothing else

By Taylor Hall, Megan Edge and Patrick McCormick The Northern Light

Before we get into the bashing segment of this article, we need to first get everyone up to speed here at UAA. For those who don’t know, the University of AlaskaFairbanks is hosting a taco feed while they broadcast the 2nd game of Governor’s Cup from Anchorage against the ‘Wolves Feb. 26.

UAF, who decided to drop the Fairbanks part of their name to call themselves the Alaska Nanooks in athletics, have pulled yet another typical Fairbanks move.

Unfortunately, it’s something we’ve never seen before.

They are expanding on their motto from last year (don’t think we forgot those cute shirts you put all that hard work into with the ridiculous looking ”wolf mermaid” on those blue shirts). This year, their motto is “What’s a Seawolf?

It’s what’s for dinner.”

Yes, this is the classy catch phrase of the UA_ Nanooks.

They are going to fly in a fish, nicknamed the seawolf, and have Seawolf tacos during the game.

Jokes on them though, have they seen an Anarhichas

lupus, also knows as an Atlantic Wolffish? It is nicknamed a Seawolf due to its size and teeth.

However, it looks nothing like what our Seawolf looks like and really doesn’t have a connection with what our mascot represents or what it stands for.

It also looks like nothing that looks like that will ever come close our mouths.

They live in Fairbanks though: I guess they have to find something to entertain themselves. Too bad they are only helping endanger the species of Atlantic Wolfish, whose current status is a species of concern.

The Nanooks, of all people (or mammals), should be concerned with endangered species.

For those of you who don’t know, the name Nanook is the Inupiaq Eskimo word for polar bear. A species in which has been listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act since 2008.

So maybe we should have a polar bear feed and take a page out of your book, Fairbanks. Oh wait, we have more class than that and much better things to do (we’ll start by beating you in basketball and hockey these upcoming weeks).

We probably shouldn’t expect any less from UA_. The

high-class group of people who put this together is from Fairbanks; a town, where students and faculty are ashamed to call it their own. Recently the University of Alaska athletics dropped Fairbanks from their title, and now strictly go by the University of Alaska.

If they really are that ashamed of living in Fairbanks they should probably completely remove it from their title.

The UA_ website hasn’t yet removed the F from their logo.

Come on now, at least complete the job and do something right.

Hockey, however, is the only sport UA_ will talk smack about. How are those Nanook basketball and volleyball teams doing? Can you see our teams from that far down in the standings?

I don’t know why though. So you took the Governor’s Cup home last year, it doesn’t mean much. It was your first time since 2006, and our boys will soon be taking it back.

We had to give you something to look at besides each other.

Well Fairbanks, we hope your bite into the “Atlantic Wolfish” tacos compensates for your upcoming devastating loss.

Enjoy your meal and Bon Appétit!

February 22, 2011 | COMICS

TNL BROKECOMICS | Alec Fritz

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