The Northern Light October 29, 2013 Issue

N THENORTHERNLIGHT OCTOBER 29, 2013

A&E

THENORTHERNLIGHT.ORG

UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA ANCHORAGE

SPORTS

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Zuniga, fun night, Monster Ball and more photos

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Change has been a good thing for the ‘Wolves

Zombies attack the Loussac Library

PHOTOS BY KAYLA MCGRAW

There are surprises around every corner in this artistically created maze designed by volunteers from Bezek Durst A volunteer dresses up as a victim of the zombie virus at the Loussac Seiser Architecture.

Library’s zombie scavenger hunt on Saturday Oct. 19.

SEE THE FULL STORY PAGE 3

The big plan: Honor flight thanks WWII vets Prioritization What it is and what it will do to UAA

By Evan Erickson

eerickson@thenorthernlight.org As Alaskan oil reserves dwindle, belts will require tightening and the state will take a close look at budgets. The University of Alaska is young, and just as a malnourished child may suffer effects into adulthood, the university may suffer in the long-term if it doesn’t find the best use of an inevitable decrease in funding.

UAA is addressing these problems through a massive assessment process called prioritization that seeks to examine every one of its academic programs and administrative functions. How the data will be used is not explicitly stated, but it is intended to serve as a guide for what should be cut, what should be increased and what should be left alone.

Traditionally it is the responsibility of the deans to determine where changes are made within individual departments and programs, but prioritization is utilizing 18-member task forces composed of faculty and staff to rank the many programs and functions — the Academic Task Force (acTF) and the Support Task Force (STF), respectively. Task force members were either self-nominated or nominated by other staff or faculty based on factors like trust and respect of their colleagues and time available to participate.

A template is assigned to each one of the approximately 300 programs and 200 functions at UAA. Each template is a physical packet containing headings for the various criteria including a percentage weight, e.g., “External demand ... 13 percent” or “Impact and essentiality ... 15 percent.” Below the headings are boxes where the relevant information is provided by whomever is filling out the template.

On the academic side department chairs received templates for each of their programs in late September and distributed them among faculty to be filled out. During the piloting process last summer it was found that individual templates could take between 30-50 hours to complete, but the official revised templates are said to require around half as much time.

Most departments are dealing with four to six templates, but some departments may be overburdened. The Languages Department has 20 different templates, and many of the faculty are adjunct and not part of the process.

Some faculty have voiced concerns in open briefings that workload agreements created last spring don’t allow for the time needed to give templates the attention they deserve.

Excluding the system of ranking, prioritization is based on a system outlined in the book “Prioritizing Academic Programs and Services” by Robert C. Dickeson. Vice Chancellor of Administrative Services Bill Spindle, Provost Elisha “Bear” Baker and other faculty traveled to San Diego in fall 2012 to see Dickeson speak. After deciding the Dickeson approach was suitable, UAA hired consultant Larry Goldstein to train task force members on the model last summer.

“This model encourages a well thought-out change in manage-

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PHOTO BY TIM BROWN

Ed Young, 88, served as a flight engineer on B29 and B17 bombers. He is one of the many veterans being recognized on the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.

By Suhaila Brunelle

news@thenorthernlight.org They are called the Greatest Generation, Americans who lived through the Great Depression and went on to fight and support the war efforts during World War II. Many returned from battle without pomp and circumstance and went on to become the foundation of modern-day America. It is on the backbone of the Greatest Generation that America’s cities and industries have been built.

It was not until 2004 that a memorial was established in Washington, D.C., for these veterans.

Now the Honor Flight Network is working against the clock to bring World War II veterans to Washington, D.C., free of charge to visit the memorials that were built in honor of their service and sacrifice. World War II veterans are dying at a rate of 1,000 per day.

The Last Frontier Honor Flight was established in December 2012 when founder Ron Travis first found out about the organization. Travis, a veteran himself, heard of the network, and discovered trough research there was no Alaskan chapter.

Travis and his wife, Lynda, worked tirelessly to become incorporated and raise funds so Alaska’s World War II veterans would be able to see their

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memorial. Through barbecues, golf tournaments and other fundraising efforts they raised $40,000 for this cause.

The National Honor Flight Network heard of their efforts and matched their funds by half. In just a few months they had $80,000 for the cause.

Before the establishment of the Last Frontier Honor flight Alaska’s Vets were meeting up with out of state organizations in order to make the trip, but have never before left straight from Alaska.

This week, the Last Frontier Honor Flight departed on its inaugural flight directly from Anchorage with 29 vets and their guardians, a total of 69 people altogether.

World War II veteran Edward Young Jr. says, “I’m glad to have a chance to see the memorials there, and the opportunity that it’s given me and the other veterans at WWII to see the memorial that we have heard so much about.”

They arrived the airport early in the morning and were greeted by volunteers, Alaska Airlines employees and employees from Geneva Woods Pharmacy, who donated new wheel chairs to each veteran. Senator Lisa Murkowski came out in support of these vets, shook all of their hands and thanked them for their service.

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02 NEWS

THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2013

VETS: A flight to remember Continued

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PLAN: Cutting and reducing programs Continued

PHOTOS BY TIM BROWN

Veteran Mike Hunt trained as a pilot before war against the Axis powers was declared in 1941. Using the money his family gave him for communion, young Hunt snuck away to take flight lessons. He continued his training under a New Deal civilian flight training program before enlisting with the U.S. Armed Forces during wartime.

Veteran Profiles

World War II vet Louis Palmer lived in Alaska and worked in construction when the war started in 1941. Palmer received an invitation from the government to join the war effort and decided to do so. Palmer joined the United States Navy and was stationed in the South Pacific as a CB (construction crew member) during the war.

Palmer built housing on several islands in the South Pacific, including Iwo Jima. He was present as the Marines raised the flag.

Palmer stated that at the time it was not that big of a deal, but now, looking back on it, stabilizing the island and getting up there to raise that flag really was quite an accomplishment. Palmer eventually returned to Alaska and worked on many notable construction projects such as the Hotel Captain Cook. Palmer was married for 52 years and currently runs his own business.

“I’m 93 years old. I would advise anybody to try to beat my age, my longevity if possible,” Palmer says. “Play by the rules. We have rules. We have ethics to work to, and the good Lord takes care of us.”

Edward J. Young Jr. (featured on the cover) was a flight engineer during World War II and stayed in the country during the war. He traveled around doing maintenance on B24 and B17 aircraft and also trained new engineers. Young states he had never been anywhere before joining the military, and it gave him the opportunity. Young believes every man and woman should serve in the military if they can because it offers them an opportunity for an education. After the war, Young attended the University of Wisconsin and eventually came back to Alaska on a building contract with Ft. Richardson.

He has been here ever since. Young traveled to Washington, D.C., with his family as a child but has not been back since.

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ment approach that recognizes the important role that faculty, administration and staff have in shaping UAA’s future,” reads UAA’s Office of the Chancellor website.

A few faculty have vocalized concerns that the Dickeson model may be an attack on the tenure system at UAA. “We’re not going to get rid of tenure here. That’s just a silly idea altogether,” Baker said.

Since the process began in spring 2013, many aspects of prioritization have been in a state of flux. All of the original deadlines for submission and review of templates have been suspended. Data to be provided by an 18-member facilitation team to aid programs in filling out templates has yet to be released. The templates for the 200 or so administrative functions are still being piloted and won’t be available for a few more weeks. Most importantly, though, the system by which programs and functions will be ranked is still subject to change.

The current ranking that was adopted by task force members is a system where each program or function is placed into one of five quintiles that offer vague prescriptions for what action should be taken: • Programs in quintile 1: Priority for higher investment • Programs in quintile 2: Consider for higher investment • Programs in quintile 3: Sustained resources • Programs in quintile 4: Transform • Programs in quintile 5: Subject to further review, consider for reduction or phase out There must be an 80 percent consensus of task force members to place a program or function within a quintile. As it stands, each quintile must account for 20 percent of the total programs or functions, appearing to imply that programs or functions in quintile 4 could be pushed into quintile 5 if quintile 5 contained fewer than 20 percent of programs or functions.

All prioritization task force meetings are open only to task force members, but in response to calls from UAA faculty senate and individual faculty for greater transparency, the minutes for weekly Academic Task Force meetings are being actively emailed over the faculty Listserv.

“The items discussed have always been public,” Academic Task Force Co-Chair Mark Fitch said.

The Academic Task Force announced late last week that it voted to set deadlines for submission of program templates from Jan. 31-March 7. They also reported that acTF members were roughly evenly distributed in voting for alternative ranking systems to the quintiles.

There are still no deadlines for when results will be available, but the acTF has also discussed working in summer 2014 to extend the timeline.

Naturally, many faculty and staff equate the fifth quintile with the termination of programs and jobs. While faculty members are unionized and the process for termination is lengthy, the majority of staff are at-will employees with little to protect their jobs based on the outcomes of prioritization.

In an email to faculty, Academic Task Force member John Mouracade said, “Now when the Provost looks around and needs to cut spending, where can he cut it most quickly? On the admin side. All academic programs are tied to the catalog and take 5-7 years to phase out. In the short term, there really aren’t any savings on the academic side.”

Little is known about the status of the Support Task Force, but STF Co-Chair Sandy Culver has said open briefings will be scheduled sometime in November.

Although the acTF and STF are at very different stages in the prioritization process, neither has reached a consensus on many important details and much work remains to be done.

NEWS BRIEF

Mother charged with murder after abandoning newborn baby in Turner Park JBER Specialist Ashley Ard, 24, was charged with murder by a grand jury this week after the death of her newborn baby girl. Ard gave birth to the baby Oct. 15 at her home, wrapped the baby in a towel and left her under a tree at Turner Park in Eagle River. A citizen walking their dog found the newborn and alerted the Anchorage Police Department. It has been determined that the newborn was born alive, but autopsy results are pending. Later that day the Anchorage Fire Department was dispatched to Ard’s home, where they discovered she was suffering from injuries commonly related to childbirth. It is unclear at the moment wheather Ard was aware of the state’s safe haven law, which allows mothers to drop their newborns off with emergency workers up until 21 days old without facing prosecution. Ard is the mother of a 14-month-old baby girl. Bail is set at $250,000.

WEEKLY BUZZ Leah Henderson and Adison Smith pack meals for the World War II veterans. The group will travel to Portland, Ore., before visiting the U.S. capitol.

AROUND ANCHORAGE

Mother and 4 young children stabbed in their Brooklyn home A man yielding a bloodied butcher knife was taken into custody Sunday and is being charged with the murder of a mother and four young children. Linda Zhuo, 9, Amy Zhuo, 7, and 1-year-old William Zhuo were pronounced dead at the scene. The infant had been decapitated.

5-year-old Kevin Zhou and his 37-year-old mother Qiao Zhen Li were transported to the hospital, where they later died. Yuan Gao, a cousin of Li, arrived at the home while the man was still holding the knife and immediately alerted authorities. The man had recently moved back into the neighborhood and had been living with the victims. He stated the motive for his crime was, “because they had too much.” The man assaulted police officers and toppled tables at the police station after his arrest. Gao stated the man could not hold down a job and was crazy.

Mother attacked by 13-year-old son and son’s friend The mother of a 13-year-old boy is recovering in a hospital after her son and his 14-yearold friend attacked her in an attempt to rip her open and eat her liver. The boys, who had been taking blue pills, were arrested after a crime spree that included auto theft, burglary and vandalism. The teens had been charged with second-degree assault, taking a motor vehicle without permission, residential burglary, second-degree malicious mischief and a hit-and-run.

Anchorage man has over 70 traffic violations Anchorage resident Eldridge Bradley has 77 traffic violations, most of which are unpaid.

Offenses include speeding seven times, not wearing a seatbelt 13 times, emissions/registration expired 15 times, lacking proof of insurance eight times and driving on a revoked or suspended license 19 times. Bradley currently owes the city $9,083 in fines. Bradley also has a history of domestic violence, alcoholism and drug abuse.

Two middle school teachers murdered last week by students Supporters gather outside the State Administation Building Oct. 23 to protest the lawsuit brought against statesmen Vic Fisher and Bella Hammond for $1.2 million in legal fees for losing Pebble Mine.

A 12-year-old boy shot and killed a teacher, wounded two students and took his own life in Sparks, Nev., last Monday. No one knows the motivation behind the shooting, and the boy’s parents are facing charges for the crimes.

A 14-year-old was charged and held as an adult in Danvers, Mass. this week after the murder of a 24-year-old teacher. Philip Chism, 14, plead not guilty and is being held without bail. Colleen Ritzer of Andover was found dead in the woods behind the school after she did not return home or answer phone calls. According to the authorities, there is no reason to suspect another offender.

Two beheaded in Afghani honor killing A young couple in love was found beheaded in Afghan provincial capitol Lashkar Gah this week. Sources close to the case believe the woman’s family was involved in this honor killing.

The older brother of the victim stated about 10 men raided the home where the lovers were living. The couple was planning to marry.

Boston bombing suspect was previously involved in triple homicide Authorities have released information that Boston bombing suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev participated in a gruesome triple homicide outside of Boston in 2011. The three men were involved in martial arts or bodybuilding. They were found in an apartment with their necks slit and bodies covered in marijuana.

Live animals sold as key chains

PHOTOS BY DAN DUQUE

Byron Mallot stops by UAA Oct. 19 on behalf of the Democratic State Central Committee to accept the party endorsement for governor of Alaska. If elected, he would become the first Alaska Native governor in the nation.

Live animals are being sold as keyring ornaments on the streets of China. Customers have the choice to purchase two kingfish or a Brazilian turtle. The animals are placed in a small, plastic pouch with colored water. The pouch is then sealed and the animals are sold to customers. One customer stated they will hang it on an office wall because the animal will bring good luck. Vendors believe the animals can survive for months in the pouches because the water has nutrients in it. Animal rights activists denounced this practice.

Briefs and Weekly Buzz compiled by Suhaila Brunelle

FEATURES The zombie apocalypse in Anchorage

THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2013

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By Suhaila Brunelle

news@thenorthernlight.org The library isn’t just a place where books live. It is also a place for learning. This message was made clear last Saturday when the Z.J. Loussac Library was transformed into a pandemic zone, complete with toppled chairs, cautionary signs and, of course, zombies.

The point was to make it through the maze without being touched by a zombie, which represented germs during a pandemic.

The educational part was in eight different stations set up throughout the maze. Each station depicted information about how to make a plan in case of an emergency, giving instructions about how much food and water to store and how to be prepared to stay in a single home during such a crisis.

The zombies had powder on their hands that glowed in black light. Once a participant made it through the third floor maze to the fourth floor decontamination chamber, he or she then stepped under the black light, which revealed if whether the person had been infected. If the person was infected the hazardous materials team from the fire department was on hand to decontaminate the individual.

The first 300 people who went through the maze were offered free flu shots given by public health nurses. The public health department used this as an exercise, not only to practice what they would do during a pandemic, but to educate participants about what the public health department would do in a health crisis, such as an anthrax attack.

Toni McEhrson, public relations coordinator with the library, said the library has worked with the health department and the Center for Emergency Operations for years doing preparedness fairs.

The Anchorage Fire Department is in charge of the preparedness fairs and wanted to host them indoors, so McEhrson suggested they host them in the library.

The zombie theme comes from the Centers for Disease Control who thought if a person can survive a zombie apocalypse, then he or she could survive anything.

Alaskan survival tips

The first thing to do to prepare for an emergency is to have a plan. Identify the types of emergencies that can occur where you live. For Alaskans, that includes earthquakes, tsunamis volcanic eruptions and flooding.

Pick a meeting place for your family to regroup in case of an emergency.

Make a list of emergency contacts such as the police department, and fire department. If you have family outside of Alaska, ask them to be a contact in case you are unable to reach your in-state family.

Be sure to plan your evacuation route. If it is necessary to leave town, know where you would go, and figure out different ways to reach your final destination.

It is also advisable to have a safety kit in your house in case of an emergency. A good safety kit should include one gallon of water per person per day, non-perishable food items, extra medication, sanitation and hygiene products such as bleach and soap, extra clothing and blankets, copies of documents such as drivers licenses and passports, and first aid supplies.

Amber Harper of Bezek Durst Seiser Architecture said, “Think about what to do. I think that’s where people get thrown off, if it’s not someone thinking the worst thing is going to happen. I know where to go. I have this stash of money. I’ve got my altered weapon to kill zombies with or whatever. I’ve got my bug bag to take with me if I have to go.”

About 80 people volunteered to make this event a reality.

Even zombies have to take a lunch break during the Loussac Library’s zombie scavenger hunt on Oct. 19.

PHOTOS BY KAYLA MCGRAW

For more information on how to survive a zombie apocalypse, visit http://blogs.cdc.gov/publichealthmatters/2011/05/preparedness-101-zombie-apocalypse/.

Once arriving at the safe zone at the end of the maze, Anchorage Fire Department volunteers scan survivors to determine whether or not they have been infected.

Amber Harper of Bezek Durst Seiser Architecture working with a team Volunteers for the Zombie Scavenger Hunt hard at work turning the Z.J. Loussac Library into a pandemic center. of volunteers to create a zombie apocalypse in the Loussac Library.

04 FEATURES

THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2013

Groovy fondue titillates the senses

By Nita Mauigoa

features@thenorthernlight.org

Cooking in

COLLEGE Ingredients Caramel Fondue

• 2 bags of Kraft caramels (22 ounces) • 1 cup half and half • 1.5 tablespoons butter • 1.5 teaspoons vanilla extract • 2 tablespoons finely chopped hazelnuts (optional)

Love, sex, drugs and fondue were just some of the themes that bounced around in the ‘70s.

Keep Halloween goodies drug-free yet psychedelic with a colorful array of exotic fruits drenched in warm caramel fondue.

This recipe is practical, leaving lots of time to give a little love, do a little dance and get down all night.

Directions:

Chop up the fruits. Microwave caramel, half and half, and butter until caramel starts to melt. Remove the mixture from the microwave, and stir in vanilla extract until smooth. Mix in hazelnuts of desired. Transfer smooth mixture to the fondue pot, which should be lit. Skew fruit, drench in caramel and savor.

Fruits • • • • • •

Blood oranges Red pears Asian pears Pluots Variety of apples Variety of berries

PHOTOS BY NITA MAUIGOA

The abyss gazes also into you

By Klax Zlubzecon

Translated by George Hyde In the spirit of Halloween, let me just say this: I am one of the most horrifying monsters in existence.

No, really, I am.

I am an alien monster who (occasionally) robs George of his free will and makes him do my bidding. He is a slave to me. And whenever I need or want his assistance, there’s no way he can disobey me.

Isn’t that horrifying to you humans?

People have walked out and screamed at movies like “The Exorcist” or “Paranormal Activity,” not because they’re startling, but because they’re unnerving. They tap into very real human fears. But why is this?

Against my better judgment, I allowed George to re-read one of his favorite literary classics, “Nineteen Eighty-Four.” As he read, I examined what he was thinking, and I thought it was a horror novel. George was fearful of the idea of a boot stomping on his face forever, after all.

But when George explained it to me, he didn’t describe it as a horror novel. He saw it as science fiction. And that made me ponder how you guys classify “horror.”

Horror, to me at least, has always meant more than just scary effects or jump scares. Horror taps into what we personally reject and dislike. Horror, at its most basic root, makes people feel uncomfortable with themselves.

This is what makes something like “Silent Hill 2” or the older works of Edgar Allen Poe so terrifying. The monsters in those works are based on ourselves, our

feelings and desires. At its best, the genre takes what we try to publicly deny and twists them into something uncanny.

That’s what made “Nineteen Eighty-Four” so scary for George. His very political views are twisted into their most horrifying extreme.

Obviously, I don’t find George Orwell’s work horrifying. The picture he paints is of a dictatorship run by massive idiots. A dictatorship can be done right, as the slug regime proves. To me, “Nineteen Eighty-Four” is more of a parody than horror. But as we’ve seen in the past few weeks, the U.S. government is populated by massive idiots, and that makes a novel like this feel all the more surreal and chilling.

Let’s look at the protagonist of this novel, Winston Smith. Obviously, I’m going to delve into some pretty heavy spoilers here, so if you somehow haven’t read this novel, go and do it.

Orwell described Winston as an everyman that readers could identify with. He’s a worker at a dead-end office gig, who meets a so-called resistance leader and likes their line of thinking. However, he’s deceived and brought into the Ministry of Love for torture, where he breaks under pressure and confesses his love for the novel’s totalitarian regime.

The point of Winston’s character was to show that our pride overestimates ourselves. Readers like to think they can overthrow and rebel (it’s in your very history as Americans), but when put under pressure, they snap.

They show their true colors. They easily give in.

The “monster” in this horror story, in a way, “invades” Winston and makes him turn against the ones he loves, turning him into another one of the monster’s minions.

By the end, Winston is long dead, replaced by another lifeless, soulless puppet in the novel’s society.

That always sends chills down George’s spine in a way that no other horror story has managed to do. A horror story in which the protagonist wins fails to horrify.

A horror story where the protagonist either loses to the monster or is the monster themselves? Now that’s scary.

Monsters like zombies or Cthulhu are frightening at first, but as we’ve seen recently, they’ve also become standard and expected. A monster like Big Brother is always going to be scary.

There’s a line from Friedrich Nietzsche that sums this up quite nicely: “He who fights monsters should see to it that he himself does not become a monster. And if you gaze for too long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”

Happy Halloween, folks. Remember to wear bright colors or lights when you go trick-or-treating. And of course: RESISTANCE IS FUTILE. EMBRACE THE SEAWOLF SLUG.

Planning ahead and preparing for the worst

By Evan Dodd Contributor

We all enrolled in college to get jobs.

Also because we had no idea what to do next and just followed the nearest societal expectation in the hopes that it would pay off. Mostly it was the “jobs” bit that brought us to this point though. This is incredibly unsettling considering that most lectures in my business courses revolve around the fact that the job market for recent grads is about as healthy as Nic Cage’s career.

Oh yeah, guys, it’s going to be one of those columns.

In one of my economics classes the other day we discussed a paper that suggested that most low-skill jobs will be automated in the future and lucrative positions will only be held by the top 10-15 percent of the highest achievers. I’m not going to try and dissect that argument, precisely because I’m not in that elite 10 percent.

That’s not pessimism on my part either. I’m decent at most of my interests, sometimes better than most.

However, once you realize there are countless other grads who majored in the exact thing as you — many of whom are either more talented, have better connections or went to a more prestigious school— it becomes harder to assume that the Job Fairy will stop by your house first thing after commencement. The bottom line is that unless you can somehow channel the spirit of Ferris Bueller, few people in life will give you things just because you ask for them.

For me, this means I’m probably not going to waltz onto Wall Street the second graduation is over — or ever.

Honestly I’ve come to be okay with that. To me, the idea of a corporate job is about as a appealing as a lifetime career with the Department of Motor Vehicles. I have two nice dress shirts and maybe a tie or two that I only use on dates and job interviews. (Okay, so just job interviews.) The only reason I’m able to get away with this is because of the startling contrast with my normal attire, which generally consists of socks and a hiking jacket. (Pants preferred, not required.)

I can’t work a job where the employees are expected to dress like the cast of “Mad Men” every day, mostly because I can’t afford it, but also because I’ll lose my secret weapon of business casual.

Most students I know, excluding future chemists and engineers, have come to accept the abysmal job market as a given. It’s become a running joke to casually mention that all graduation gets you is a whirlwind of uncertainty and a fancy piece of paper. Somehow we’ve all realized that we’re in the same boat and have decided not to stress about it.

I guess there are just two very distinct groups of people in this world. Some people seem to be born with a detailed agenda of life goals and blow through life as if there was an Acme rocket strapped to their asses. I, on the other hand, never got that detailed instruction manual, and therefore behave as if I woke up blindfolded and abandoned on the outskirts of Vegas. Most of my life consists of trying to figure out what just happened, why it happened, and how to keep it from happening again.

And while I’m pondering these questions, something else generally happens which starts the entire cycle over again.

Orange rhymes with The world is daunting when you look at it as a homogeneous battlefield for employment. You’ve got to find a way to narrow the playing field so you have a fighting chance. So find a niche, some subset of the job market only you and five other people can fill. Then cross your fingers and hope like hell that those five people got caught in traffic on the way to the interview.

For example, statistically speaking, I’m never going to be one of the top-1 economists in the world — in all fairness, I just made that fact up, which kind of proves my point — but thankfully economics is not the only thing I do. The goal is to find a way to combine a few more of my interests to make myself indispensible to a potential employer. So the second I find an open position that requires a business degree, experience writing quasi-funny things, a topical knowledge of environmental issues and an interest in camping, I’ll be all set.

So you know, no sweat. Until then, you can find me at Village Inn, tweaking my resume and binging on all of the bacon and eggs that they have. Feel free to join.

Somehow we’ll figure this thing out.

AE &

THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2013

ALBUM REVIEW

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GAME REVIEW

‘Bangerz’ by Miley Cyrus

The story of a man named Stanley

By Oliver Petraitis

By George Hyde

KRUA Music Manager

It’s just sad. It’s sad to see someone with talent, especially very specific talents, take them in a direction that doesn’t coincide with their capabilities. And it happens for a variety of reasons, this kind of reaction formation. In the case of Miley Cyrus, she’s going through a musical reactionary period that harks back to the title of the debut album from the Arctic Monkeys, “Whatever You Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not”: You say I’m a country star? I rap. You say I’m a Disney child? I party. You say I’m a role model for young girls everywhere? I twerk.

Although her new album, “Bangerz,” has been out for a couple weeks now, there’s probably going to be talk about it for a while to come. Not so much because of the music, but because of certain viral videos that have made Miley (in)famous for some unbecoming dance moves.

But this is going to be purely about the music and not about twerking. Unless, of course, the music is conducive to that kind of gyration. And it does stand to mention that is a type of music which unfortunately exists on this record.

Starting off the album, “Adore You” and the radio banger of sorts “We Can’t Stop” are, in fact, decent songs. “Adore You” has a cool, twitchy kick-drum lick, and the lyrics are notably neither profane nor mindlessly self-indulgent. Vocally, it’s all there, provided that she doesn’t try to toast, boast, scat or rap through the whole song.

“We Can’t Stop” has some merit to it, somewhere deep down in there. Advocating social and amorous freedoms is a-okay. Loving who we want is gold. Freedom of speech is quintessential American democracy. However, calling to action “all the girls with the big butts” and “trying to get a line in the bathroom” (of a certain illicit white substance, no less) enters a scandalous grey area for any postDisney kid.

Were it someone not from a squeaky-clean background, no one would care at all. But that’s not the case here. It’s another Disneygone-disaster case.

And that’s not even the half of it. We’ve not even talked about the third and title track. Basically, it is the disaster. It’s one of the most unlistenable pieces of music to have happened in a while. In her own words, Miley “be struttin’ (her) stuff” with Britney Spears for company. The whole track feels like a twerky, weird, dirty, guilty rave at a truck stop off I-94 in Iowa. And there she goes again with the overt drug references: “hooked on donuts,” a method of cocaine ingestion, says Urban Dictionary.

These questionable life choices only continue and accelerate in the subsequent track, supposedly fortified by an appearance by Nelly, called “4x4,” wherein Miley sings about “driving so fast, ‘bout to piss on myself.” Not only is it laughable, but it’s also a confusing and hokey blend of old-western guitars strummed reggae fashion on the offbeats and a mismatched trappy drum line.

The trap continues on “Love Money Party,” on which Big Sean and Miley delve into the depths — or rather, the shallows — of party lifestyles. Here Big Sean is annoying as ever. It definitely doesn’t help the album fight its already-losing track record.

In between Nelly and Big Sean’s appearances there are a couple of decent tracks: “Wrecking Ball” and “My Darling.” However, the latter sticks out plainly among the pervasive “IDGAF” attitude (actually said verbatim in “Do My Thang”) maintained across the album: “My Darling” sees Miley contemplating marriage and other committal, adult topics. In the context of the rest of the album, it just seems too normal.

And then the maelstrom of bad rapper guest appearances culminates in a 6/8 meter pseudo-blues jam called “FU,” (dis)graced by a dubstep drop and a French Montana verse. It’s just Miley using texting slang as lyrics and sounding paltry-pissed off.

There’s also a Ludacris appearance on the last song on the album.

Not even worth talking about.

Somewhere in there, Miley’s made some good music. “Maybe You’re Right” is a real song — not pretentious, not fakey, not something she’s not. She uses that powerful, heart-wrenching Southern twang that made her into a country-pop sensation some years ago, and it sounds great compared to the other, lesser paths she chose to take on the rest of the record.

At the end of the record, the scores are tied: half is good, half is horrible.

The irony is that the track called “Do My Thang” is actually antithetical to following one’s own strengths. Too often on this record Miley’s done something that sounds like a fleeting, futile gimmick.

“Do My Thang” sees her doing the opposite. But when she sticks to what she knows — namely writing honest songs that people can relate to and not trying to be a bad-girl sex symbol in the style of Ke$ha — she succeeds.

Perhaps the coolest, least noticed track on the album is “Someone Else,” in which she blends her strengths of power vocals with her apparent trap-influenced dance-desire in a track that’s strong vocally, lyrically and melodically. In the end, that 50/50 score is what the record deserves. It’s all over the place, but that is understandable when taken in the present context.

She seems to be trying to redefine who she is while being bombarded by people telling her what she ought to be. She seems to be facing “The Climb” about which she sang some years ago, and while the twerk did not evidently get her to the top of the mountain, something might in the future — something that’s not a facade.

Album: Bangerz Artist: Miley Cyrus Label: RCA Release Date: Oct. 4, 2013

gchyde@thenorthernlight.org Linearity has always been tricky to deal with when it comes to storytelling in games. Do developers force players down a small, linear path to deliver a stronger narrative, or do they allow players to do what they please, paving the way toward stronger gameplay? “The Stanley Parable” is a deconstruction of this conundrum.

The main character is Stanley, working at a boring office job when all of his coworkers mysteriously disappear one morning. Stanley must piece together why this happened, in addition to unraveling the dark secrets his employer hides from him.

Aiding him is a narrator who clues the player in on where to go or what to do. Of course, the player can just disregard the narrator and do whatever he or she wishes.

These choices of whether or not to obey the narrator lie at the heart of “The Stanley Parable,” and they lead to a lot of moments that are both comedic and dramatic. It’s a fascinating commentary on the role of choice in games, stating that players only have the illusion of choice instead of true choice.

Each “choice” is one laid out by the developer,

carefully planned like a lab rat experiment. It’s a fantastic deconstruction of games like “Mass Effect” or “The Walking Dead.” Here, in “The Stanley Parable,” games like these are revealed for what they truly are, mazes of narrative. It’s a chilling and shocking testament, but it’s also congratulatory in a way. A well-crafted maze is just that: well crafted.

That goes without mentioning the game’s sense of humor. The narrator often gets quite snarky when the player pushes him to his limits. The game’s many secrets are also hilarious, but to spoil them would ruin the experience. Suffice to say, some of the secrets will catch players off-guard and leave them rolling on the floor in hysterics.

“The Stanley Parable” is not a long game. A single playthrough only takes around 10-15 minutes. Not only will players want to play it again and again, but the content within that short amount of time is absolutely mind-blowing. The $15 price tag may sound steep, but the payoff is very well worth it.

Game: “The Stanley Parable” Developer: Galactic Cafe Platform: PC Genre: Adventure

06 A&E

THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2013

By Kelly Ireland

arts@thenorthernlight.org Costumes, prizes, a mocktail bar and a movie of affair and Frankenstein-like creation are all in store for those 17 and older in a Halloween showing of the film “Rocky Horror Picture Show.” This event, put on by the Student Union and Commuter Student Services, Student Life and Leadership, the Dean of Students’ Office and Communities Mobilizing for Change on Alcohol, will run from 7-10 p.m. Oct. 31.

“Rocky Horror Picture Show” is a story about Brad Majors and Janet Weiss, an engaged couple who wander into a castle on the side of the road. Within the castle they stumble across the strange world of the transvestite Dr. Frank N. Furter and his band of misfits. Frank’s gang includes Riff Raff (a butler), Magenta (Frank’s sister), Columbia (Frank’s follower) and Frankenstein-like creation Rocky.

Rocky’s brain was taken in part from Eddie, Columbia’s lover, whom Frank kills in the beginning of the movie.

Eddie’s uncle, who is also Janet and Brad’s old science teacher, Dr. Everett Scott, is also a character. Dr. Scott comes searching for Eddie after he has been killed and served as dinner. The story takes many unexpected and maybe even unrelated turns of events right up until the

end of the film.

Richard O’Brien originally wrote “Rocky Horror Picture Show” as a musical. O’Brien later adapted it into a screenplay with the assistance of Jim Sharman, who directed the film. The film has held the longest-running theatrical release in history for nearly 40 years and is the most successful midnight movie (a low-budget film that television stations produced to air late at night) ever. The film has been reproduced theatrically innumerable times.

‘No Big Heads’ welcomes guest juror Candy Chang

PHOTO FROM CANDYCHANG.COM

By Jacob Holley-Kline arts2@thenorthernlight.org

In 2011, on the side of the Polaris Building in Fairbanks hung a four-story sign that read, “Looking for love again.” Two chalkboards at street level invited passers-by to share their memories of the building and hopes for its future.

This art project, “Looking for Love Again,” was the brainchild of artist Candy Chang, commissioned by the Alaska Design Forum.

Candy Chang is the guest juror for this year’s “No Big Heads” art competition.

“No Big Heads” is an annual competition in which students and the public submit self-portraits no larger than 12 inches cubed. That year’s guest juror then judges the portraits. “(Chang) uses art to transform public spaces, to inspire people, to have people think about their own lives,” said Mike McCormick, assistant director of Student Activities.

Chang holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture, a bachelor’s of fine arts in graphic design and a master’s degree in urban planning.

According to her website, she has put on art projects in locations from New Orleans to Hong Kong.

Her piece entitled “Before I Die,” which she created after losing a loved one, has been recreated in 25 languages in over 60 countries.

“She’s an inspiring person,” said McCormick. “She sees art as this thing that can be transformative.”

In 2012, Chang put on a public art show in Las Vegas called “Confessions,” where people anonymously wrote secrets on cards that were hung on the wall. Over 1,500 confessions were displayed on the walls by the end of opening night.

In addition to her art projects, she speaks internationally and her TED talk, “Before I Die I Want To…” has been viewed over two million times.

“We wanted to go somewhere more abstract,” said student gallery manager Tess Forstner, “(so) we went with Candy Chang to get more of a variety.”

As a guest juror, Chang will judge the submitted pieces, meet with art faculty and students, teach an urban design class and give a lecture at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30 in the Wendy Williamson Auditorium.

No Big Heads opens Oct. 31 in the Student Union Gallery and runs until Nov. 15. Submissions are no longer being accepted.

In 2005 it was preserved in the U.S. National Film Registry for being “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant.”

During the “Rocky Horror Picture Show” film showing there will be a costume contest with prizes and a mocktail bar. The event has free admission and is being held in the Student Union Cafeteria.

07 A&E

THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2013

CREATIVE CORNER

The Creative Corner is dedicated to displaying the artistic works of students around UAA. For a chance to have your writing, drawing, painting, photography or other art form featured, submit your piece to creative@thenorthernlight.org.

In the service of the Crown

MOVIE REVIEW

Jackass becomes heartfelt with ‘Bad Grandpa’ film

By Johnnie E. Templeton Jr. Short Story Contributor

Sir Lucky Jack paced the stern as he sailed Durango out of the port, setting sail to His Highness. He had to petition for funds to pursue his endeavors. He wished to capture this pirate cove, which was threatening shipping from and to Venezuela. Someone or something was building an unknown force, and the fort needed to be eradicated to secure the safety of the area. The governor had asked him on this dangerous mission, only because he knew a small fleet could sneak in. As Jack sailed west, he saw a fleet headed south flying the banners of Puerto Rico. He swiftly sailed to their starboard, and as the sun rose he starboard tacked.

The maneuver worked beautifully flanking the unsuspecting victims, with the wind gauge on his side. His tactic was to first hit the transport ships. With nerves of steel and breakneck speed, Jack maneuvered in between the two ships.

His pep talk consisted of those famous words: “To battle!”

The ship came from behind silently as the crew awoke, groggy and slow.

“Fire!”

Twelve cannons of raw power sliced through ships on either side.

Still heading south, his crew quickly reloaded. They began to chant, “Way hey, blow the man down!”

The ships in the front had time to move but his aimed guns quickly took out two masts one on each ship. The sails fell like trees.

“Timber!” the men shouted with laughter. He quickly tacked starboard into the rising sun to blind his escape. Once well-hidden, he turned to await the two escort vessels.

He again spoke. “Make ready the silverware!”

He checked his sails, and they were full of wind. Good speed would be the key here.

The two battle sloops were ready to board, knowing they were more than the match for the sloop. They just didn’t know they were fighting the young privateer Sir Lucky Jack, the sworn protector of His Majesty Queen Sunruy.

Both of Durango’s batteries fired and decimated the men, as they flanked his sides to board. Yet the captain lived. His white handkerchief went upon his saber. He waved it frantically.

“Go strike your colors, and I’ll let you live.”

“Agreed!” said the captain, and he headed to retrieve them. Sir Lucky Jack commanded his crew to throw the hooks. They quickly came aside and he swung across.

He looked and barely missed the blade piercing towards his chest. A deadly blow, it would of been. He parried as he drew his saber. With two strokes and a jab, he had the captain pinned against the stairs.

“Sir, don’t kill me!”

“What is your name, Dog?!”

“Captain Mercado.”

Then Lucky Jack ordered his crew to tie him to the mast as he loaded the goods from the four ships. What was left of the crews agreed to join him, but only one ship was sailable back to the port. They quickly striped what was left of the other three ships and patched up the frigate.

The loot was good, and he knew his hostage would make him a small bounty. He knew though he had to move. He ordered everyone to move west once again.

His first mate entered his cabin and announced some great news: “Captain, we also procured two perfect condition small cannons aboard the frigate hidden in a secret compartment.”

His eyes lit up. He sat up and began walking out his door. “Ahoy, that makes all I need for good old Durango. Now she has 14 of the best. Shall we name them?”

The crew agreed, “Aye!” He pondered for a moment then announced, “Let us name this one Miss Becky.”

The men cheered.

He continued once the anticipation renewed. “She was a nice lass. She always tried to feed me bass. I’d take a swig of ale. She would hit me over the head with a pail. Till one day she pinched me flank. Guess what I told her? I told her to walk the plank!”

Laughter resonated across the water and quickly silence over took them.

Durango, with the frigate in tow, continued on into the setting sun.

To be continued...

By Kelly Ireland

arts@thenorthernlight.org Jackass and heartwarming — the world thought it wasn’t possible, but in “Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa,” Jackass pulls on the viewers’ heartstrings and proves they are more than just a stunt gang. That’s not to say the movie doesn’t have Jackass’s signatures, because when moviegoers aren’t feeling for the characters, they are either being offended or laughing their asses off.

“Bad Grandpa” is a heartwarming tale of an adorable 8-year-old boy, Billy (Jackson Nicoll, “Funsize”), whose drug addict mom has landed in jail and must be taken cross-country by his 86-year-old grandfather to his good-for-nothing father (Greg Harris). The grandfather, Irving (Johnny Knoxville, “The Last Stand”), does not want to take Billy and makes bad choice after bad choice when his grandson is in his care.

Along the way, however, Irving starts to really care for Billy.

The movie is filmed without many of the featured people’s knowledge, making the reactions to Irving and Billy’s shenanigans real and genuine. There is nothing more hilarious than watching the faces of the bystanders in the film as Irving and Billy steal, drink, carry a “dead” body, strip and go crazy in all meanings of the word. And even though the audience knows that Irving and Billy are just characters, it’s hard not to be shocked and appalled by the actions of the two while knowing the extras in the film have no clue. Many of the scenes can even make you jump more than a horror/ suspense film.

Jackass also did a great job during the credits in showing everyone being told that they just witnessed acting. It was funny seeing their embarrassment at not knowing it was fake or that they were being filmed. There was also a scene of Jackson Nicholl’s dad dressing in his son’s costume for the film and surprising Jackson. Seeing his reaction and seeing him hug his dad was very cute.

Overall the film was a great watch. It’s definitely worth getting together a group of friends to go see. Viewers will leave the theater laughing and reminiscing at the screwball antics of the Jackass crew.

Film: “Bad Grandpa” Release Date: Oct. 25, 2013 Director: Jeff Tremaine Starring: Johnny Knoxville, Jackson Nicholl, Greg Harris

A&E BRIEFS

‘Alien’ showing in UAA planetarium In space, no one can hear you scream, but you might want to keep your voice down in the planetarium.

UAA Student Activities will screen the 1979 science-fiction horror masterpiece “Alien” at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 1 and 2 p.m. Nov. 2 in the Planetarium and Visualization Theater.

“Alien” follows the space vessel Nostromo and its crew as they answer a distress call on an alien planet. After scouring the planet for life, they head home only to find something came back with them.

Due to mature content, only audience members 17 and older will be admitted.

“Alien” will screen 7:30 p.m. Nov. 1 and 2 p.m. Nov. 2. Admission is free for UAA students and $5 for the general public.

Rock pioneer Lou Reed dies at 71 The dark and deadpanned front man of The Velvet Underground, Lou Reed, died last Sunday morning in his home in Southampton, N.Y. He was 71.

Reed rose to prominence as the vocalist, principal songwriter, and guitarist of the influential rock band, The Velvet Underground.

Following their dissolution in 1973, Reed went onto enjoy success as a solo artist.

His solo career, which began in 1972 and ended with his death, spawned such classics as, “Pale Blue Eyes,” “Waiting for the Man” and “Satellite of Love.”

He leaves behind his wife, Laurie Anderson.

‘The Simpsons’ voice actress Wallace passes away at 70 Marcia Wallace was known for many roles, but she is currently most known as being the voice of Bart’s teacher, Edna Krabappel, in “The Simpsons.” Wallace died Saturday at the age of 70. She had been with “The Simpsons” since its beginning in 1990.

Executive producer Al Jean of “The Simpsons” said in a statement, “She was beloved by all at ‘The Simpsons,’ and we intend to retire her irreplaceable character.”

Popular shows get axed “Glee” has announced that the sixth season will be its final season. “Mad Men” has been axed, and final episodes will be split between 2014 and 2015. Even “Lord of the Rings” fame couldn’t save Elijah Wood’s “Wilfred” — the show has been cancelled. “America’s Most Wanted,” which has been running for over 25 years, was announced to be cut permanently.

Briefs compiled by Jacob Holley-Kline and Ashley Snyder

08 A&E Poetry slam features Lauren Zuniga, student talent

THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2013

Renowned poet Lauren Zuniga presents selections of her poetry to UAA students at a poetry performance Oct. 25 at the UAA Fine Arts Building.

Poet Lauren Zuniga recites her work to an audience during her performance at UAA Oct. 25.

PHOTOS BY DAN DUQUE

Psychology major Ashleigh Gaines presents her spoken word piece Oct. 25.

UAA Haunted Halloween Fun Night, a blast for all ages

Cruz Wasile shoots monsters with help from Sigma Alpha Epsilon member Jacob Eibeck.

Brock Tucker with a face full of whipped cream for the Psi Chi’s booth at the Haunted Halloween Fun Night at UAA Oct. 26.

Ranger Steve Cofter with his hobbit, Yuri Cofter, traveling through campus during the annual Haunted Halloween Fun Night sponsored by Student Clubs and Greek Life.

PHOTOS BY DAN DUQUE

09 A&E

THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2013

The Anchorage Museum’s annual Monster Ball

Star Trek couple wishes others wellness and prosperity during the Anchorage Museum’s annual Monster Ball party Oct. 26.

Chad Sims is Mr. McGibblets at the Anchorage Museum’s Monster Ball Oct. 26.

John Cochran and Meg Kelley are Shark Week at the Anchorage Museum’s Monster Ball Oct. 26. The Monster Ball is one of the biggest annual Halloween parties in Anchorage.

Tara Crooker and Kelly Hutson as a porcelain doll and David Bowie’s character, Jareth the Goblin King, from “The Labyrinth.”

Overflow from the sold-out, 500-person Monster Ball event at the Anchorage Museum Oct. 26.

Chris Morrison and Joanna Beck are married in spirit, .

PHOTOS BY DAN DUQUE

SPORTS SPORTS BRIEFS

Burns earns preseason AllGNAC recognition PORTLAND, Ore. — Alaska Anchorage senior Kylie Burns was among 15 players named to the 2013-14 Great Northwest Athletic Conference Women’s Basketball Preseason AllConference Team.

A 5-9 forward, Burns is UAA’s leading returning scorer at 10.6 points per game, and ranked sixth in the GNAC in rebounding last year with 7.3 rebounds per game. The Kansas City, Kan. (Bishop Ward HS) product also ranked fifth in the league with 33.4 minutes per game, scoring double figures on 13 occasions.

The Seawolves’ only senior, Burns enters her final season with UAA career top-20 ranks in three-pointers made (15th, 68) and free throw percentage (12th, .736), and is a two-time AllGNAC Academic Team honoree.

Miami’s saga ends with sanctions CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) — When the NCAA’s longawaited decision arrived, Miami athletic director Blake James realized it was what he expected all along.

“Fair,” James said. “But significant.”

And final. The Miami-NCAA saga is over.

More than 2 1/2 years after former booster and convicted felon Nevin Shapiro contacted the NCAA from prison and began detailing his role in rampant rule-breaking by those involved with Miami’s football and men’s basketball programs, the Hurricanes got their final penalties. The most notable sanctions are the nine lost football scholarships over three years and one lost basketball scholarship in each of the next three seasons.

A three-year period of probation and some recruiting restrictions are also part of the penance.

Texas dad alleges bullying in 91-0 football game (AP) — Texas high school coach Tim Buchanan benched his starters after only 21 plays, kept to a conservative ground game and even allowed the clock to run uninterrupted after halftime to hasten the final whistle. Still, his Bearcats won 91-0.

Now the coach is facing formal accusations of bullying.

The impressive victory for undefeated Aledo High School, a football powerhouse in suburban Fort Worth that has put up similar numbers against other schools, has forced an investigation after a parent from the opposing team filed a bullying complaint.

The complaint, which must be investigated under state law, says Buchanan should have done more to prevent the lopsided score.

“It wasn’t good for anybody,” Buchanan said of the win over Western Hills in a Class 4A matchup. “I’ve sat and gone over and over and over it on what we could have done differently. The score could have very easily been 150 to nothing.”

Western Hills coach John Naylor told the Fort Worth StarTelegram that he disagreed with the bullying allegation, which Buchanan said suggested his coaches “should have made their players ease up and quit playing that hard.” Naylor did not immediately return a call from the Associated Press seeking comment.

Briefs compiled by Thomas McIntyre from GoSeawolves.com and the Associated Press

THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2013

10

A look into the 2013-14 Seawolf men’s basketball team

By Thomas McIntyre

sports@thenorthernlight.org The basketball season is here. Despite a subpar finish, the Seawolf men’s team is coming off a hot run in 2012-13, which included a stellar showing at the Great Alaska Shootout and a 14-3 record at home.

On paper, the team has a strong enough build to mirror last year’s performance. If all goes well, they could realistically surpass it.

These are three decisive factors heading into the next hoops campaign.

Loaded backcourt

The three most important pieces for the Seawolves live in the backcourt — senior Kyle Fossman and juniors Teancum Stafford and Travis Thompson. All three guards were selected to the GNAC Preseason All-Conference Team. And UAA’s place at second in the preseason GNAC coaches’ poll is largely a result of that trio.

Thompson is returning to the team after taking a year off from basketball to focus on school. He and Fossman are a lot like. They can play both the guard spots, and they’re accurate shooters from everywhere on the floor. Thompson’s edge as a passer will lock him in as the point in most lineups.

Stafford is a 6-foot-5 shooting guard/small forward hybrid. He can stretch the court and score from inside. Thompson’s return could create endless looks for Stafford from the corner, which is a deadly proposition.

Fossman and Stafford were superb last year. Their efforts as scorers hasn’t truly been appreciated, though.

What made these two so special was their efficiency. Simply put, they were stupid efficient. Usage rate (percentage of offensive possessions used by a player during his time on the floor) is a nice stat that can be used to

back this up. Usage is not perfect — its main flaw being that it doesn’t cover assists. But in this situation, it tells us enough.

Fossman closed last season with a usage rate of 17.9 percent, while Stafford’s was 15.98 percent. These two percentages are slightly below the general average a player uses (about 19 percent). So, using less than the average percent of possessions, Fossman and Stafford each produced over 14 points per game.

To hammer this home, here’s Abebe Demissie’s usage rate from last season: 22.10 percent. He averaged eight points.

There’s a very obvious argument that can made from this data: Fossman and Stafford should shoot more. Even with Thompson coming back – who is also quite efficient – those two have a real case for deserving a bigger chunk of the pie.

Departed size

Losing center Liam Gibcus and forward Abebe Demissie will create a void in the Seawolves’ frontcourt. Some of the incoming players — who are mentioned in the next section — could fill that space, but nothing is certain.

While Demissie’s shortcomings were noted earlier, he was a gritty role player who brought an edgy presence to the court. The ‘Wolves will miss his Joker capabilities on defense (able to match up with multiple positions) and reliable three-point shot.

Gibcus leaves the largest hole. He ended 2013 with a total rebound percentage barely under 17. This means that, during his time on the court, he was responsible for 17 percent of the team’s total rebounds. That’s a high number considering how balanced the average rebounding stats were per player.

Two other strengths Gibcus brought were his sure hands and efficient scoring. He had the seventh most turnovers on the team. For

a big that saw plenty of touches on the block and off rolls, that’s a win. His 58 percent shooting from the field made him an extra reliable player.

New blood

The Seawolves realized their need, and recruited wisely. Four of the new additions stand at least 6-foot-7. You can teach many things, but size isn’t one of them. Making these bodies count will be the coaching staff’s challenge.

In a previous TNL article, we ran down some of the guys who are debuting for the ‘Wolves down low. Jackson McTier, Brad Mears, Jacob Craft and Kalidou Diouf (redshirting) all bring their own qualities to the table.

McTier and Mears are the most enticing prospects, and should see the most floor time, rounding out the frontcourt alongside sophomore forward Christian Leckband.

McTier measures in at 6-foot-8 and averaged 17.7 points and 9.7 rebounds as a high school senior. Mears is an inch taller, and is finally getting a chance to spread his wings after sitting behind a top conference player at Snow College.

The final move came a couple weeks ago when head coach Rusty Osborne announced the addition of DeVante Baisa. Baisa is a balanced guard from Tracy, Calif., who averaged 16.3 points, 5.2 assists and 3.1 steals as a high school senior. He’ll create even more depth at the guard spot.

Getting serviceable basketball from the crop of UAA rookies is key. Given the group of studs still wearing green and gold, there won’t be any pressure for a hero to emerge.

The Seawolves start regular season play at the Disney Division II Tip-Off Classic down in Anaheim, Calif. from Nov. 8-10. They’ll open at home with the AT&T Jamboree Nov. 15-16 at the Wells Fargo Sports Complex.

Head to head: Forecasting the best and worst of the 2013-14 NBA season

By Thomas McIntyre

sports@thenorthernlight.org

and

By Mark Hoffman Contributor

Thomas McIntyre and Mark Hoffman are two of the Northern Light’s sports writers — nothing more, nothing less. The duo has been pitted against each other to predict the results of the 2013-14 NBA season.

“For me, this will be exactly like in “Above The Rim” when Shep played heads up with an invisible defender,” said McIntyre.

“I’ve played basketball with God Shammgod,” Hoffman responded.

And they’re off.

Doc does with these guys. he will likely be plugged in as a starter.

NBA Champions There’s a solid 15 percent chance that doesn’t TM: Miami Heat. The field is closing in, Defensive Player of the Year happen. but not enough to sway my decision. It’s even TM: Roy Hibbert, Indiana Pacers.

Hibbs harder to move off the Heat once you conMH: Tyreke Evans, New Orleans Pelisider the three giants haven’t been healthy for is a very good defensive player who’s on one of the two best defensive teams in the NBA. cans. Thomas alluded to the significance of the last two runs.

Chris Andersen pulls his ring lead over His post protection anchors that unit. He also injury time affecting the Sixth Man Award, Karl Malone to two, and Dwyane Wade comes into the season looking like a guy who which makes it particularly hard to project plays in a league that doesn’t test for HGH. a winner. Could be the same case in New changes his name to Four.

Look out.

Orleans, because Eric Gordon can’t seem to stay put on a basketball court. But if he does, MH: Chicago Bulls. That’s right, South MH: Larry Sanders, Milwaukee Bucks.

I expect Tyreke Evans to make a big impact Beach, no three-peat for you. This year’s Great pick there by Thomas.

Hibbert is a in a new home. Sometimes a guy like him champion will be decided in the East — I don’t trust anybody to win it all in the West low-post beast in the mold of other legendary could just use a change of scenery.

— and the Heat, Bulls, Pacers and maybe Georgetown defenders like Patrick Ewing, Dikembe Mutombo and Alonzo Mourning.

Most Wins the Nets, are the class of the league.

I’ll stop with the Hoyas talk now and TM: Miami Heat. Or the Chicago Bulls.

I like a rejuvenated Rose to lead Tom Thibodeau’s ragtag bunch of grinders past take Larry Sanders as my pick for Defensive But no, it’ll be the Heat. Could be those King James and the Evil Empire. And then, Player of the Year. He’s a highlight-reel block Bulls, though. you know, beat some team from the West in specialist and as athletic as they come. Basically, he’s the opposite of Hibbert.

MH: L.A. Clippers. I like the Bulls call the Finals. but I’m taking the Clippers to have the best regular season record.

MVP

TM: LeBron James, Miami Heat. I don’t know what to say here. Durant could yield a pity/boredom win. Either way, I’m right.

James will be the best and most valuable player in the NBA. Perhaps I should sticky this section for the next five years.

MH: The Field. I’m taking the indecisive, Michael Wilbon approach to the MVP race and choosing the field. LeBron is unquestionably the best player in the world, but it feels like we’re due for a Karl Malone-in-1998 or Derrick Rose-in-2011 season from the award voters.

If all were right in the world, LeBron would be shooting for his sixth straight trophy.

I like the chances of KD earning a lifetime achievement nod or for a breakout guy, like Steph Curry in Golden State or Kyrie Irving in Cleveland, to sneak the award away from LeBron.

Coach of the Year

TM: Kevin McHale, Houston Rockets.

McHale was once handed the keys to an exotic vehicle named Kevin Garnett, and he wrapped it around a light pole going 180 miles per hour. I make this prediction cautiously.

McHale showed last year that he could craft an offense. The Rockets are a fast, high-possession team. If Howard can be convinced that the pick and roll is an effective basketball strategy, the Rockets will challenge for a two-seed. And then McHale will take home COTY for his work as maestro.

MH: Doc Rivers, L.A. Clippers. Doc is already a former Coach of the Year and he inherits some studs in Chris Paul and Blake Griffin now that he’s in L.A. Surrounding those studs with shooters like J.J. Reddick and a defensive-minded coach like Doc and the equation is starting to add up.

Remember when the Clips won 17 games in a row last year? Yeah, that was with Vinny Del Negro as head coach. Wait to see what

Rookie of the Year

TM: Victor Oladipo, Orlando Magic. This is a lay-up. The Magic aren’t going to ease Oladipo into the league; they’re letting him fly out of the gates. He’ll wreck havoc on both ends while also making plenty of mistakes.

Don’t for a second think I wasn’t tempted to take the Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo. He’s already the Rookie of the Year in my heart.

MH: Otto Porter, Washington Wizards.

Okay, this is absolutely a homer pick because I’m a huge Georgetown fan, but Thomas is a Sixers fan, and we forgive him for that, right? The most common draft day superlative for Otto was “Most NBA Ready,” so he’s pretty much a lock for this award in my book.

Cody Zeller, Michael Carter-Williams, Kelly Olynyk and Oladipo all have high SRIP (Sleeper Rookie Impact Potential) projections this year. See, I can make up some saber metric statistics too.

Most Improved Player

TM: Jonas Valanciunas, Toronto Raptors.

Here’s a prediction that’s going to be wrong.

I’m projecting Valanciunas to have a nice year, but he won’t have the kind of earthshattering impact that’d make people watch and appreciate a player on the Raptors.

MH: Tristan Thompson, Cleveland Cavaliers. In case you haven’t heard, Thompson switched his shooting hand from his left to his right and he says it has made him a whole new player. The third-year forward should be an integral part of the Cavs youth movement and playing with Kyrie would make any of us better.

And now he’s shooting with his RIGHT HAND.

Sixth Man of the Year

TM: Harrison Barnes, Golden State Warriors. I’m a sucker for a sixth man who is far beyond sixth man talent. Barnes is going to devour this role. Unless, of course, Andrew Bogut misses extended time, in which case

Most Losses

TM: Philadelphia 76ers. You have to think the NBA is quietly investigating the Sixers.

This is the most arrogant and transparent tank job that I’ve ever seen. It is moving and more beautiful than any post-Romanticism art.

MH: Phoenix Suns. The most anticipated run at futility in hoops history should be fun to watch, especially if you like seeing Eric Bledsoe run around with his head cut off.

This roster is awful.

Best League Pass Team

TM: Golden State Warriors. Super duper hyphy. Step one: get NBA League Pass; step two: fire up the Dubs game; step three: put on Mac Dre’s “Feelin’ Myself.” Repeat steps two and three 82 times.

MH: Miami Heat. Don’t get it twisted: LeBron with any four guys around him is still the most entertaining basketball on League Pass. The Cavs and Clips should be fun to watch, too, but the Heat will still produce the most “wow” moments.

My Main Man Award

TM: This is the category where we plant a flag on a player whom we are ride or die for, a la Ahmad Rashad on “NBA Inside Stuff.”

My main man is Patrick Beverley — just YouTube “Patrick Beverley Jrue Holiday” for an explanation.

And since Rashad was allowed about 400 main men, here are a few more picks: Andre Drummond, Chandler Parsons, Anthony Davis and Andre Miller.

MH: An Ahmad Rashad “NBA Inside Stuff” reference? Count me in. My main man this year is Jeff Green of the Celtics. With no one else of any particular skill healthy enough to play for Boston, my guy has the green light to break out this year.

Also keep an eye on Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Bradley Beal and Greg Oden.

11 SPORTS

THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2013

Hockey captain Matt Bailey on the hot-handed Seawolves

By Mark Hoffman

the rink a lot nicer. He’s very motivational and detail-oriented. We’re trying to stick to his system, and it’s been really good.

The Seawolf hockey team is off to a hot start at 3-1, with big wins over #10 Quinnipiac and #12 Denver this year. Co-captain Matt Bailey is pacing the team with four goals heading into Western Collegiate Hockey Association play, and the senior co-captain took a moment to talk to the Northern Light about the Seawolves’ hot start:

As a senior co-captain and team leader in goals so far, do you feel like your role has changed this year?

Contributor

TNL: You guys got off to a great start after some major offseason changes. How was this team able to come together so quickly?

Bailey: I think everyone was really excited coming into the season with all the new changes and Coach Matt (Thomas) is just a really motivational guy. It’s a good group of guys, a really close knit group and we’re playing within the system and it’s paying off so far.”

What’s it like playing for Coach Thomas in his first year?

Matt is just a really high-energy guy. He’s the happiest guy at the rink, and it makes coming to

I don’t think my role has changed too much.

But obviously, it’s nice to have success at the start of the season. Being 3-1 is a credit my teammates and our team game, and it’s been nice so far.

WCHA play opens up for you guys in Bowling Green (Ohio) this weekend. What can you expect in conference play?

Bowling Green had a really good weekend. We haven’t done too much studying on them with the bye week, but we’re going to look at them in great detail this week. They’re a good team, and first weekend of WCHA play, you want to start strong so two big games in Bowling Green.

The ‘Wolves play at Bowling Green Nov. 1-2.

Live stats can be tracked at http://www.wcha.com/ men/index.php.

PHOTO COURTESY OF GOSEAWOLVES.COM

Alyeska Halloween Train Saturday, Nov. 2

From

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Package includes train ride from Anchorage on Alaska Railroad with bus return on Sunday, one-night stay at the haunted Hotel Alyeska, dinner buffet, drink vouchers and tickets to the Halloween Concert.

Reservations: 907-754-2111 or AlyeskaResort.com

Zombie Disco Dance Party

Alyeska Resort Daylodge Friday, Nov. 1 80’s & 90’s Mashups with Fly Guy Saturday, Nov. 2 Zombie Disco Dance Party with The Funky Hippeez $10 Buy Online or 907-754-2275

alyeskaresort.com 800-880-3880

*Price based on double occupancy.

Subject to availability, taxes and fees. 21 & over

Fall in love with Art AT THE MUSEUM ...or Dave, or Bob, or Larry

MIX AND MINGLE AFTER HOURS FIRST FRIDAYS

COMICS

THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2013

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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 4,500. The University of Alaska Anchorage provides equal education and employment opportunities for all, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, Vietnam-era or disabled-veteran status, physical or mental disability, changes in marital status, pregnancy, or parenthood.

The views expressed in the opinion section do not necessarily reflect the views of UAA or the Northern Light.足足足

LETTERS AND CORRECTIONS POLICY Letters to the editor can be submitted to editor@ thenorthernlight.org. The maximum length is 250 words.

Opinion pieces can be submitted to editor@thenorthernlight. org. The maximum word length is 450 words.

Letters and opinion pieces are subject to editing for grammar, accuracy, length and clarity.

Requests for corrections can be sent to editor@thenorthernlight. org. Print publication is subject to accuracy and available space.

All corrections are posted online with the original story at www. thenorthernlight.org.

The Northern Light newsroom is located on the first floor of the Student Union, directly next to Subway.

THE NORTHERN LIGHT CONTACTS 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 Ashley Snyder MANAGING EDITOR content@thenorthernlight.org Vacant COPY EDITOR copy1@thenorthernlight.org Kierra Hammons NEWS EDITOR 786-1576 news@thenorthernlight.org Suhaila Brunelle FEATURES EDITOR 786-1576 features@thenorthernlight.org Nita Mauigoa A&E EDITOR 786-1512 arts@thenorthernlight.org Kelly Ireland

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR news2@thenorthernlight.org Vacant ASSISTANT FEATURES EDITOR features2@thenorthernlight.org Vacant ASSISTANT A&E EDITOR arts2@thenorthernlight.org Jacob Holley-Kline ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR sports2@thenorthernlight.org Vacant GRAPHIC DESIGNER graphics@thenorthernlight.org Roz Kirkelie ADVERTISING MANAGER 786-4690 ads@thenorthernlight.org Chelsea Dennis MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE Chris Pitka

SPORTS EDITOR 786-1512 sports@thenorthernlight.org Thomas McIntyre

MULTIMEDIA EDITOR multimedia@thenorthernlight.org Vacant

PHOTO EDITOR photo@thenorthernlight.org Tim Brown

STAFF REPORTERS gchyde@thenorthernlight.org George Hyde eerickson@thenorthernlight.org Evan Erickson

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER photo2@thenorthernlight.org Kayla McGraw Corey Hester WEB EDITOR web@thenorthernlight.org Jenna! Roosdett LAYOUT EDITOR layout@thenorthernlight.org Vacant

CONTRIBUTORS MoHagani Adamu Amanda Brush Evan Dodd Oliver Petraitis Johnnie Templeton Misty Vanlue MEDIA ADVISER Paola Banchero ADMINISTRATIVE ADVISER Annie Route

CORRECTIONS On Page 2 of the Oct. 22 issue of the Northern Light, we misnamed USUAA Vice President Cassie West.

PEOPLE

THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2013

HOTTEST TOPICS What are your thoughts about American football team, the

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Washington Redskins, a name that is historically offensive to Native Americans?

Ariel Susky

Psychology Major

Culture must evolve like everything else. Why not change a name that is now considered to be offensive?

Michael Holmes

Physical Education Major

The name Redskins honor Native Americans, part in forming our great nation. Retired Native American Chief Robert “Two Eagles” Green would be offended if the Redskins DID change their name. Word’s connotation change all the time. Recall , “gay’ used to mean happy. Now it is associated with homosexuality. The Redskins used to be a slur, and according to most Native Americans, it is an honor to have the nation’s capital team named after them.

What government agency are you happy to have back in service after the shutdown and why?

Jeremiah Krug

Computer Science and Software Engineer

Um, I’m not “happy” to have the government back. I’m glad things are working out, but we shouldn’t have a government shutdown in the first place. We’re America, and last I checked, we had higher expectations than this. While shut down, we are lucky to say that the government services are back because during that time period, the U.S. was at our most vulnerable since 911. With terrorism in the world, hate on the U.S., things could have gotten ugly.

Forest Masters

Computer Science Major

I do agree the name is racist. In the 1960’s, I understand there was an effort to change the trademark, but I believe the name is more dynamic now than it was 30 years ago.

Jean Rojas

Finance Major

Football is great. I personally prefer baseball or basketball. I definitely see how the name would be offensive, but they are not trying to offend anyone.

HOTTEST TOPICS QUESTIONS, PHOTOS AND COMMENTS COMPILED BY MOHAGANI ADAMU

Describe your favorite fall meal.

Douglas Hardy

Emmanuel D. Barnes Psychology Major

Human Services Major

The WIC Program (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children). I work with families that were affected by the WIC program shutting down, and they were worried about the future of their children.

(I’m) grateful they have resources now.

There is nothing better than when love is put into a meal. Like love, that meal takes time. Stocks and sauces are made from scratch, which takes a good amount of preparation. You can also feel the love in the air as you are with family. This is why Thanksgiving is my favorite fall meal.

My favorite fall meal is mashed potatoes with chicken. My favorite fall dessert would be anything with pumpkin in it!

Economics Major

Nichole Springer

OPINION

THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2013

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Readying for registration

By Ashley Snyder

editor@thenorthernlight.org It feels like yesterday that fall classes started. And yet here we are, already past midterms, and many of us are close to choosing classes for the spring semester. Those who are lucky enough to be graduating this fall no longer have to feel the stress of carefully selecting classes to ensure a timely graduation. But for those that have time left, they will soon feel the pressure of figuring out their destiny for the upcoming semester.

Just this past Monday, the schedule for all spring 2014 classes was available for viewing on UAOnline. If you haven’t had a chance to take a look, sooner than later is best. Whether you are a senior with priority registration or an undeclared freshman, every student should still have a good idea of what classes he or she need to register for. So many people fall into a very deep hole when they wait until the last minute — not only to look at what classes they need to take, but also to even register in general.

Even if you are not a fan of the “Finish in 4” campaign, don’t you still want to finish in a reasonable amount of time? College life is fun for the first few years, but after a while, all you want to do is be done and over with it.

Senioritis hits before you even become a senior. So why make it worse by neglecting to schedule your classes out?

You could end up as a senior with only one class left to take, but that class isn’t offered in that semester. Then you would be stuck here for another semester to finish one class. Some students who do that don’t want to stick around for one class and end up dropping out of college — pretty much throwing away what they have worked for.

While all of this may seem dramatic, it is true and can be seen every semester.

So make a plan, look online, check out the classes and figure out what you want to take — and more importantly, what you need to take. To help you out, here are the registration opening dates.

OPINION

Ordinance 37 and firefighters

By Amanda Brush Contributor

Midst the talk of Ordinance 37, Peter Goldberg, chairman of the state Republican Party, made a comment to Anchorage Assemblyman Bill Starr stating that he didn’t think Anchorage police and fire jobs are dangerous. The comment started a Facebook frenzy. Goldberg later gave an apology for this comment, saying it wasn’t worded correctly. However he still thinks the salaries of rescue personnel in Anchorage are too big.

So, are firefighters overpaid? The firefighters of Downtown Anchorage Fire Station 1 are enthusiastic to discuss just a little bit about the life of an Anchorage firefighter.

“We work what’s called Kelly Shifts,” said Jason Kohler, standing outside what’s called the Big House, where huge red vehicles are parked and hockey jerseys hang from the ceiling.

“Every vehicle you see has a different sleep pattern. We get banged up, then try to recover,” said Kohler. When most of the city is relaxing on their days off on holidays — such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, family birthdays — the firefighters still go to work, like cops or military.

Captain Richard Minkler said, “Firefighters die young. ... on average (they) live about eight years longer than their

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November 8 - Admitted graduate students November 11 - Admitted seniors (90+ credits) November 12 - Admitted juniors ( 60-89 credits) November 13 - Admitted sophomores (30-59 credits November 14 - Admitted freshman (0-29 credits) November 25 - Open registration

SNOW SCREEN

retirement age.”

This is due to many reasons.

One large one is because their careers are spent breathing in toxic fumes emitted from fires and other dangerous situations.

When asked about recruitment, it was mentioned that the competitive applicant numbers may have gone down due to firefighters in Anchorage not getting retirement pensions like in some places — rather, they have a regular 401(k).

And those Costco runs people may sometimes see them making? Every firefighter has $20 from their paycheck taken and pooled together at the start of each shift for group meals.

Peter Goldberg’s comment was made midst Ordinance 37 being mentioned a lot in the news. Ordinance 37 was passed last spring, supported by Mayor Dan Sullivan. It goes over the payment and benefits of public service employees. Critics, such as the Anchorage Education Association and Anchorage Firefighter’s Union, disagree strongly. So in September a petition was started, and on Oct. 22 the Anchorage Assembly voted twice to repeal the ordinance.

Sullivan vetoed both votes.

More information about firefighters and other Anchorage public service employees can be found at http://www.muni.org, the website for the municipality of Anchorage.

A Northern Film Festival 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1 Anchorage Museum Free

NORTHERN LIFE. EXPOSED. Innovative filmmakers from Alaska and Canada capture skiers, vampires, ice divers, goat-hair weavers and more.

This event is part of the Anchorage Museum’s

SCHOOL. WORK. FRIENDS. I’VE GOT I T COVERED.

With a current WolfCard students, staff and faculty ride People Mover buses FREE with u-­pass.

343-­6543

P E O PL E M O V E R. O R G

r e v o c s i D COPY & PRINT CENTER • • • • • •

Large format posters and banners Lamination Foam-core mounting and edging Thesis printing and report binding Color and black/white copies On-site graphic designers

SEAWOLF POSTAL EXPRESS • USPS outgoing mail service • FedEx and UPS express mail at discounted rates Save 10% • We sell stamps!

Pl

ace an or der at the Copy & Pr int Center on t he first Fr SURPLUS iday of th e month an d save 10% • Watch our website for SALE dates! *Not *

• Furniture • Electronics • Computers and more

valid for g raphic de bulk mail sign, , offset pr in t overtime or rush. A ing, vailable to studen ts, staff, a nd UAA alum ni only.

Lower-Level Campus Bookstore FREE 30-min parking outside the green-awning entrance.

Mon - Fri 8:30am – 5:00pm • 907.786.6860 • www.uaa.alaska.edu/gss