SEPTEMBER 17 - SEPTEMBER 23, 2019
FEATURES
UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA ANCHORAGE
SPORTS
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Plastic bag ban begins in Anchorage on Sept. 15, including the UAA Bookstore.
THENORTHERNLIGHT.ORG
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Seawolves win three of four games at the DII West Region Showcase.
Red Zone: 2019 Campus Climate survey results By Robert Gant features@thenorthernlight.org
The results of the 2019 University of Alaska Campus Climate Survey reveal rates of sexual misconduct within the UA system. The survey used was developed by the Administrator Researcher Campus Climate Collaborate or ARC3. ARC3’s survey instrument allows universities to compare results from other universities that used the survey on their campus, according to UAA’s Title IX compliance page. Brad Mrystol, director of the UAA Justice Center, was primarily responsible for conducting the survey, according to the official survey report. Mrystol found the results of the survey unsurprising but saddening. “As indicated in the table that compares UA estimates to those derived at other universities, the estimates from the UA 2019 Campus Climate survey are unfortunately unacceptably high at universities across the country,” Mrystol said. The survey was circulated to 10,000 students over the period of a month, according to Green and Gold News. Mrystol asserted that the 8.4% response rate was sufficient for accurate analysis. “The primary objective is to obtain a high-quality sample that minimizes bias and includes a good cross-section of the population of interest,” Mrystol said. The survey findings report found that over half of the UA
student population has experienced sexual harassment since enrolling in the university. More than 25% of UA students experienced instances of sexual harassment from UA faculty, instructors or other staff members. Nearly half of UA students stated they experienced sexual harassment from fellow students.
The survey findings report shows a clear contrast of incidents to report rates. Only one out of six UA students reported sexual misconduct to the proper authorities. “I would encourage folks to begin from a position of believing what students told us about their experiences,” Mrystol said.
“I would encourage students, staff and faculty to be mindful of the information presented in the report when interacting with students, many of whom may have recently experienced one or more of the behaviors examined in the survey.” Chief Title IX Officer Mary Gower interpreted the report
as an indication of the success of the Title IX training and bystander intervention programs at UA. “I anticipated [Alaska’s high rate of sexual assault] to be demonstrated more significantly in the data,” Gower said. “At UA, there appears to be a robust student culture that understands and values respectful sexual and dating relationships and that prioritizes social and emotional support for victims of sexual misconduct and dating violence.” Title IX training must be completed by Oct. 31 for all degree-seeking students at UAA, according to an email sent out by Chancellor Cathy Sandeen on Sept. 11. “It is up to each and every one of us to create the inclusive, respectful and safe environment that our students and our colleagues deserve,” Gower said. “If you see something wrong, please speak up and do not let inappropriate behavior go unchecked and unreported.” Reports of sexual harassment, as well as discrimination or retaliation, may be filed using the UAA Office of Equity and Compliance online incident report form, emailing uaa_titleis@alaska.edu or calling (907) 786-0818. Confidential reports can be made through the UAA Safe app. For more information on reporting, visit the UAA Office of Equity and Compliance website or their physical address at 3980 University Lake Drive, Ste. 106.
A graphic from the 2019 UA Campus Climate survey shows that 5.5% of students that experienced sexual harassment reported it.
GRAPHICS COURTESY OF THE 2019 UA CAMPUS CLIMATE SURVEY
A table from the 2019 UA Campus Climate survey results display student confidence in the university’s response to reports of sexual misconduct. A table from the 2019 UA Campus Climate survey shows that UA’s sexual harassment statistics are comparable to average rates across other national universities.
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NEWS
THENORTHERNLIGHT.ORG TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2019
UA budget recap: A timeline of the developing story By Mary Ryan content@thenorthernlight.org
The developing story of the University of Alaska’s budget crisis began at the beginning of 2019. While several significant decisions are yet to be made, here is a list of important events up to Sept. 13. Feb. 13: Gov. Mike Donleavy proposed a $155 million reduction to the UA fiscal year 2020 budget. Feb. 28: The Board of Regents began a series of meetings to discuss cost-cutting strategies for the university. June 28: Gov. Dunleavy announced that he signed roughly $400 million in state budget cuts, $135 million of that being to UA. July 22: The UA Board of Regents declared financial exigency. July 25: UAA Chancellor Cathy Sandeen released documents including a reduction plan from UA President Jim Johnsen, a “mission-focus exercise”, guiding principles for budget decisions and a spreadsheet showing already completed reductions. Aug. 8: Gov. Dunleavy signed the fiscal year 2020 capital budget. This funded programs including the Alaska Performance Scholarship and WWAMI. Aug. 10: Gov. Dunleavy signed to restore $110 million to UA’s budget. Aug. 20: The UA Board of Regents canceled financial exigency. Aug. 30: Chancellor Sandeen released the fiscal year 2020 budget draft in an email. Sept. 12-13: The Board of Regents voted to consider both single and multiple accreditation structures and to authorize the organization of 13 inter-university review teams. “[These teams will evaluate] eight academic programs and five other areas to determine how best to streamline or discontinue them,” Monique Musick, manager of communications and marketing of UA’s Office of Public Affairs, said in a press release. The named programs and areas under review include engineering, teacher education, health, indigenous studies, management, natural sciences, arts, humanities and social sciences, career and technical education, eLearning, organised research, public service, libraries and athletics, according to agenda item details on the Board of Regents website. These reviews are due in December, rather than by the November Board of Regents meeting as originally planned, Musick said in the press release. Plans and future meetings can be found at New UA and the Board of Regents agenda page.
Upcoming Events: Sept. 20 – Alaska State Legislature meeting to discuss UA restructuring. Open to the public. 9 a.m., UAA Fine Arts Building, room 150.
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NEWS
THENORTHERNLIGHT.ORG TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2019
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UAA job fairs offer numerous opportunities for students By Christina Swayney features2@thenorthernlight.org
The On-Campus Job Fair took place on Sept. 12 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. next to the Student Union, and featured many employment opportunities for UAA students. Booths lined the upper hallway of the SU, filled with featured employers such as Student Life and Leadership, the Student Union and various paid internships. Many students arrived at the fair early, some with unsure expectations and others who were open to all the different opportunities the event
had to offer. Trinity Kingsford, a mechanical engineering major, came to the On-Campus Job Fair not knowing what to expect. “I’m not really looking for any specific type of job. I went just to see what would happen and I see that it looks pretty good. There are a lot of booths and it’s organized,” Kingsford said. The fair was an opportunity for on-campus organizations to get the word out about their available opportunities. Booth operators came prepared with a lot of information and freebies, such as candy or tote bags, to give to
attending students. There are a wide variety of students who work on campus, not just those who live nearby, according to Eva Ulukivaiola, a graduate assistant who works for Student Life and Leadership. “We have a good range of students who commute, even from as far as the valley, who work on campus here at UAA. Students who work for Student Life and Leadership especially are very dedicated and will drive in from the valley and even Kenai,” Ulukivaiola said. There are many benefits to working on campus, according to the UAA Ca-
reer Page, including: • • • • • •
• •
Developing transferable skills employers want Enjoying flexible hours Gaining experience to build your resume Making money to cover college expenses Expanding your network and meeting new people Connecting with campus resources and getting involved Making a difference on campus Linking learning
experiences with the classroom
If students were too busy to attend the Sept. 12 job fair, there are other ways to explore potential employment opportunities. Students can join Handshake, a career and networking platform that features over 120,000 employers, online. Once they have signed up, students will receive notifications about opportunities that fit their specific criteria. However, the On-Campus Job Fair isn’t the only in-person opportunity for students to get information about campus involvement. There are mul-
tiple other job fairs offered throughout the semester. The next event is the Anchorage Alaska College and Career Fair. The fair will take place on Oct. 13 from 1-4 p.m. and Oct. 14 from 9 a.m.-noon. Both events will be held at The Alaska Airlines Center. There are 3,000 students and 100 employers and colleges projected to attend, according to the UAA event page. The event is free and open to the public. More information is available on the UAA event calendar page.
PHOTOS BY CHRISTINA SWAYNEY
A variety of on-campus organizations were avilable at the job fair for students to learn more about opportunities.
UAA Career Exploration & Services were available to answer questions and provide resources during the fair.
Decoding student fees: Part two By Jason Herr layout@thenorthernlight.org
The reasons behind student fees may go beyond what University of Alaska Anchorage students may know about them. By knowing the reasons and uses for the fees, students can take part in a variety of programming, UAA community events and resources. ePortfolio — $8 flat fee for students registered in three or more credits. The eWolf ePortfolio fee belongs to a lesserknown campus program. “Portfolios are allowing students, staff or faculty to digitally tell their story for a particular purpose,” Paul Wasko, the ePortfolio coordinator at UAA, said. An ePortfolio can help students with the transition from college into the working world, as it is used to create a digital station for students’ projects and research. An ePortfolio is a digital record that can store a multitude of multimedia content, which can be used to house research, information and content, such as a digital resume or storyboard. ePortfolio materials including videos, presentations, assignments and audio files can be uploaded to the user’s ePortfolio and can be globally accessed as needed because the digital space is located
online. Certain scholarships may also require the use of an ePortfolio, according to Wasko. In recent years, students, staff and faculty have used the ePortfolio system at UAA to highlight their accomplishments and to share their work with those inside the university and beyond. “Financially, the ePortfolio fee generates about $150,000 per year. We spend this money to pay for the licensing of the software tool and student support services,” David Dannenberg, director of Academic Innovation at UAA, said in an email. By maintaining a digital record of their achievements and hard work, students can add an extra edge to their applications for employment or graduate school, according to Wasko. The ePortfolio program can be accessed through their website. Student Government Fee — $10 flat fee for students registered in three or more credits. The Union of Students of the University of Alaska Anchorage, or USUAA, is the governing body of the students of the university. Through funds generated by the student government fee, USUAA can focus and host a variety of events, opportunities and resources to engage the student populace of UAA. The fee helps to cover
USUAA event costs such as event venues, catering, shuttling students and security fees. One such venue is the Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center in downtown Anchorage, which is used to host the Homecoming dance in October. Another event sponsored by USUAA is a Thanksgiving feast. For students not able to make it home for the holiday, the feast is a way to enjoy a meal with their UAA family. The student government fee helps to pay for catering during this event. The money from the student government fee also sends USUAA members to Juneau to collaborate with the state legislature and the other UA student governance programs to advocate for UA and UAA students. “This fee gives us the tools to carry out our mission, and I would say the largest of that is the advocacy,” Clare Baldwin, USUAA president, said. “Without this fee, we would not be able to be in close contact with the other student governance groups across the state and the Legislature, especially in this [time] and the next few years.” Concert Board — $10 flat fee for students registered in three or more credits. The Concert Board is a group of seven UAA students that work to bring a variety of entertainment
to the UAA campus and Anchorage community. Concert Board positions are elected, much like in student government, and elections occur in the spring semester. Five seats on the board are students-at-large, while the two remaining seats are appointed from USUAA and the Club Council. Funds were needed to host events, and to compensate performers for coming to Alaska. Aside from the entertainment, the Concert Board fee also helps to pay for venue expenses and advertising costs. “[Students] used [the fee] to bring up bands, comedians, performers because the thought was they need some initial revenue for money to make these things happen,” Zac Clark, the Concert Board coordinator at UAA, said. The Concert Board fee was originally $5 in 1993 and helped to kickstart events like the now traditional A Capella Festivella. About 10 years ago, the fee was increased to a flat rate of $10 to pursue hosting larger events. The Concert Board has hosted artists including Macklemore, Flogging Molly and The Roots. The board was also responsible for bringing up Atmosphere last spring. Outside of entertainment, the Concert Board is a starting point for students interested in learn-
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE USUAA WEBSITE
Members of USUAA travel to Juneau to advocate for UAA students.
PHOTO BY JASON HERR
An eWolf ePortfolio can be used to create and curate a digital presence.
ing about the entertainment industry and event planning. “It provides an opportunity for students to learn. You may not be interested in the entertainment industry, but maybe you’re interested in logistics, maybe you’re interested in media,” Clark said. Another benefit of the events hosted by the board is that it promotes UAA
as an engaging university choice for future students. Knowing the benefits of the organizations, resources and services funded by student fees can reveal a wealth of possibility for students to continue their growth while at UAA. The remaining student fees will be discussed in future issues of The Northern Light.
FEATURES
THENORTHERNLIGHT.ORG TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2019
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UAA community prepares to adapt to plastic bag ban By Robert Gant features@thenorthernlight.org
As of Sept. 15, the Municipality of Anchorage’s plastic bag ban is in effect. All businesses in Anchorage must comply with this ban. Reusable bags are the advised alternative to plastic bags, according to the Municipality of Anchorage. “Reusable bags are sold at most grocery stores in Anchorage,” the Municipality of Anchorage’s official plastic bag ban FAQ page said. “You may also repurpose items such as tote bags or book bags for shopping.” Some students are concerned about the price and accessibility of reusable bags for lower-income households. Brittnie Dillingham is a junior psychology major and she feels that due to their high price, it is difficult to get a large enough quantity of reusable bags for practical use. “I know they have them at all the stores, but I don’t want to take money out of my funds for food to buy
[reusable] bags,” Dillingham said. “I’m a college student, I’m in school, I have bills I have to pay, now I need to get my own bags so I can go shopping.” While tabling on Sept. 12, various representatives from the Green Fee Board expressed the sentiment that reusable bags are necessary, urging students walking through the Student Union to take a free bag. Their Facebook page states that reusable shopping bags are available at the Student Life and Leadership office, while supplies last. Non-plastic, single-use bags, most often paper bags, may be purchased for $0.10 or more at any business in Anchorage, with a maximum surcharge of $0.50 per transaction. Businesses may not offer plastic bags for purchase at the register. If a customer does not want to use a bag, they are not required to pay for a nonplastic bag they will not use. The UAA Bookstore offers both reusable and paper bags for purchase.
Their limited array of reusable bags that will be replenished after their next shipment of goods. Paper bags are not considered a necessary school supply at this time and may not be covered by funds in student accounts. The bookstore is currently working toward the possibility of charging the purchase of paper bags to student accounts for the spring semester. Isabel Mead is the electronics assistant buyer for the UAA Bookstore and a UAA alumnus. She has been heavily involved in strategizing and preparing for the ordinance. Mead and the bookstore staff are working to ensure they do not waste the bags they have on hand. “We’re not going to just chuck [the plastic bags],” Mead said. “One option is to use the plastic bags as reusable dividers to separate textbook orders.” Mead expressed surprise at the bookstore not running out of plastic bags prior to the ban. The UAA Bookstore has not ordered any additional shipments of bags since the previous semester.
PHOTO BY ROBERT GANT
The UAA Bookstore had signs posted notifying clientele of the plastic bag ban.
“Even when we offered [plastic] bags, students usually bring their own [reusable] bags or just carry [their purchase] out themselves,” Mead said. For more information on the plastic bag ban, email PlasticBagBan@ anchorageak.gov or call (907) 343-7123.
GRAPHIC BY MICHAELINE COLLINS
& AE
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The ‘Made of Stone’ installation exhibits climate change
PHOTOS BY CHRISTINA SWAYNEY
“The Fallen (Trophies)” 2019 by Alanna DeRocchi is one of many sculptures included in the ‘Made of Stone’ exhibit.
By Christina Swayney features2@thenorthernlight.org
Climate change is a hot debate topic among scientists, politicians and students alike. The UAA/ APU Consortium Library currently features a twopart, mixed-media, climate crisis art exhibit titled “Made of Stone.” The exhibition was installed on Sept. 6 and will be on display until Oct. 26. Alanna DeRocchi, one of the contributing artists to the exhibit, has a master of fine arts, or MFA, from Alfred School of Art and
Design and is currently a term instructor of art in ceramics at UAA. She made the sculptures portion of the exhibit and believes that it is important for Alaskans to be concerned about the effects of climate change that are already happening, such as glacial melt and rising temperatures. “Many Alaskans stand to lose vital resources and possibly their way of life. Animals stand to lose their habitats and food sources,” DeRocchi said. Her sculptures feature Alaskan animals such as caribou, otters and polar
bears. The installations, which DeRocchi has been working on since 2004, are large in scale, some being life-size, like the caribou head of her piece “Shedding Velvet.” DeRocchi’s sculptures are meant to unsettle the viewer and remain in their memory, she says. She wants to exhibit how animals cannot communicate how much pain they may actually feel. “What I hope people can take away from my sculptures in the exhibition is that animals are not really able to speak out for themselves about how a
“Transference” 2018 by Jonathan S. Green depicts climate change through the use of natural materials.
changing climate impacts them,” DeRocchi said. She explained the disconnect people feel towards these creatures and the importance of being aware of the connection that the animal world has to the entire natural world. “The imagery we see in the news of starving polar bears, walrus falling off rocky cliffs avoiding overcrowded beaches or mass whale and bird die-offs, are all telling sights that urge us to pay attention,” DeRocchi said. “They are more than just food or objects on the horizon, they are an integral part of our
ecosystem.” The second part of the mixed-media exhibit was created by resident UAA artist Jonathan S. Green, who has an MFA in printmaking from the University of Alberta. His portion of the works in “Made of Stone” were made through printmaking and lithography. The imagery in Green’s pieces are of stone, scaffolding and size. In his artist’s statement on his professional website, Green said working with the subject of stone itself is a way of communicating the effects of climate change on
a sizeable and permeable scale. “By working with stone, and of stone, Green is collaborating with a cold but sympathetic companion. One that has seen catastrophe before,” he said in his artist’s statement. “Made of Stone” is currently on display and will be available to view until Oct. 26 at the UAA/APU Consortium Library during its hours of 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
‘A Million Dreams Is All It’s Gonna Take’: Brian Adams’ exhibit explores the humanity to be found in space exploration By Anna Berry arts2@thenorthernlight.org
Among the ceramic sculptures on display in UAA’s Hugh McPeck Gallery is a depiction of an astronaut playing the guitar. Inspired by Chris Hadfield, the first person to record a music video in space, this piece is one of many others that seek to discover what space exploration reveals about humanity. Brian Adams, a bachelor of arts student with a minor in history in his final semester at UAA, sculpted this piece in his ceramics class. He is currently showing an exhibit at the gallery titled “A Million Dreams Is All It’s Gonna Take,” which showcases two years worth of his ce-
ramic works. “I think part of why I wanted to pursue this narrative is that I feel like people are kind of losing faith in humanity, which I really disagree with because it’s kind of a defeatist attitude to have,” Adams said. “All you have to do is look around for a little while and look in the right places and... you see people working together all the time and getting along and doing amazing things.” Adams deliberately chose space exploration as a theme for his exhibit. “I think it’s the perfect example of what people can accomplish when they get over their differences and work towards the same goals,” he said. Many sculptures in his ex-
hibition have been directly inspired by real-life events, Adams said. Another piece, entitled “On the Shoulders of Giants,” is a tribute to the lives lost in space exploration. It features several astronauts supporting a spacecraft and “holding each other up,” Adams described. Adams’ ceramics professor, Alanna DeRocchi, said that ceramics helps Adams to work quickly through his ideas. “You can make anything with ceramics. [Adams] has a really interesting way of working... he’s done mold making, he’s done slab building, he’s also done free form modeling… there’s such a large variety of ways you can make sculpture with clay,” DeRocchi said. This long history of ceramics PHOTOS COURTESY OF BRIAN ADAMS
Pieces such as “Chris Hadfield’s Song” are intentionally drawing attention to the humanity of astronauts, according to Adams.
Brian Adams poses with some of his artwork, which each took one to two months to create.
adds further depth to Adams’ art. “What I like about ceramics is it’s the Earth... I think it speaks to those ideas of people exploring the world, finding this material, using it to make things for thousands of years,” Adams said. In addition, Adams believes the long-lasting nature of ceramics gives humans insight into past cultures. “I hope that these pieces will last a really long time. I almost want them to be permanent, and if humans ever disappeared, it would be cool if someone found them,” Adams said. DeRocchi is happy with the opportunity for Adams to show his works to the public. Bachelor of arts students such as Adams do not automatically have the same chance to display their pieces in the Hugh McPeck Gallery as bachelor of fine arts students have to display their thesis exhibitions in the Kimura Gallery in the fine arts building.
“I think the show in the Hugh McPeck Gallery is great so that everyone can see all of [Adams’] work in one place at the same time… now the whole campus or people in the public can come see it,” DeRocchi said. Adams wants the audience of his exhibition to consider that “we’re all exploring the world.” “So in that way, we are like these astronauts… your ability to just observe things happening and be in this place is a gift and I think that if more people understood that idea, it would be easier to get along,” Adams said. “A Million Dreams Is All It’s Gonna Take” is currently on public display in the Hugh McPeck Gallery in the Student Union through Sept. 26. Admission is free during the gallery’s hours of Monday-Thursday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
& AE Hitbox Review: Limbo
GRAPHIC BY MICHAELINE COLLINS
By John Novotny arts@thenorthernlight.org
Limbo should be renamed to Limbo: Prepare to Die edition. It’s not a matter of if players die, it’s how many times. Experimenting to find solutions to environmental puzzles will almost always result in at least one death. The world of limbo is not a place where anyone should live. It’s actively hostile and out to kill the player. Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC [reviewed], Mac, Linux, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android Developer: Playdead Publisher: Playdead Initial release date: July 21, 2010 Price: $9.99
Limbo begins with a boy waking up in the forest. The player receives no explanation as to why he is there or what his motivations are throughout the entire game. It’s strange because the boy, who the player controls, could be anyone. The boy has no defining features except an outline of his hair. He never presents any personality traits aside from wanting to survive. The game also doesn’t explain what any of the controls do. Players will find no tutorials in Limbo. Thankfully, Limbo slowly introduces the player to gameplay mechanics they’ll be experiencing throughout the game. The player jumps over a ditch full of spikes, pulls a wooden cart to jump up to a high ledge and climbs down a rope before riding a boat across a lake.
Puzzles in Limbo aren’t of the jigsaw variety. Instead, players attempt to figure out how to move forward using what is made available to them in the immediate area. One of the first puzzles players face is finding a way across a small lake. Since the boy can’t swim, this presents the player with a challenge. A box on the shore of the lake is immediately visible. However, when stood on, it becomes apparent that alone, it’s not nearly enough to cross the lake (early puzzle solution spoiler warning). If the player is anything like me, then they’ll spend the next few minutes hopelessly attempting to just use the box to cross the lake before stumbling across the solution. Drag the box backward to a hanging rope from a tree, climb the rope, jump across branches to the top of a tree and push the top of the trunk off to the ground (graphic content warning). Most often, the consequence of failing to solve one of Limbo’s many environmental puzzles is death. It could be drowning, being decapitated by a bear trap, impaled on spikes or any number of other grisly outcomes. The first few deaths were shocking. One of the most memorable deaths I encountered was when I accidentally stepped on one of the first bear traps and
the boy was decapitated and silhouetted blood began spewing from his neck. However, my shock was quickly replaced with irritation after the 15th time I died to the same thing. In fact, Limbo’s entire design began to crumble after my transition to being irritated in the first half-hour of play. Because the game is in black and white, objects in the environment tend to blend into the background. The obnoxious film grain filter only makes this problem worse. This combination makes the game look like the player is squinting their eyes and only seeing a small fraction of what is actually occurring on the screen. Later in the game, players will come across motion-activated machine gun turrets. The problem with this is that they don’t look like turrets. They look like fighter jet engines with laser pointers coming out of them. The lasers are so faint that they practically fade into the bright background. Sadly, the controls aren’t any better. The silhouette boy will continue to move for just a second longer than when the player lets go of the analog stick. The boy also takes forever to climb up a ledge. This leads to the player feeling like they’re merely suggesting where the boy should go. The
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Compared to environmental puzzles, giant spiders are the least of the boy’s worries.
SCREENSHOTS BY JOHN NOVOTNY
Players must move various objects, such as wooden carts, to solve environmental puzzles.
loose controls become a problem when Limbo wants players to perform very precise jumps and execute a series of moves with incredibly tight timing. The more I played Limbo, the more I absolutely despised the new challenges Playdead decided to throw at me. I hope players didn’t have a problem with the lack of clarity in the environment. At a certain point, the game takes away all ambient light and plunges the player into complete darkness except for a single swinging light bulb, which they must use to temporarily memorize the environment. Oh yeah, did I mention that the entire room is spinning dur-
ing this sequence? For a game that was so praised at launch, for the life of me I just can’t figure out what people saw in Limbo. Playdead asks players to perform precise movements and obtuse tasks while handing the player a Nintendo Power Glove for a controller and a 144p screen. If players are looking for an irritating monochromatic adventure with sluggish controls, Limbo is the game for them. If not, players are advised to look elsewhere for a compelling experience. Want to suggest a video game for review? Contact John Novotny at arts@ thenorthernlight.org.
UAA jazz ensemble swings into a new semester By Anna Berry arts2@thenorthernlight.org
UAA has been home to a jazz ensemble for over 25 years, and has seen multiple changes in leadership over that course of time. The ensemble began under the direction of Karen Strid-Chadwick, who brought her piano prowess and jazz chops to the budding music program. When Strid-Chadwick retired, John Sterling, an experienced jazz musician and music program adjunct at UAA, took on the jazz ensemble for the fall semester of 2018. Due to budget concerns, the leadership of the jazz ensemble then fell to Armin Abdihodzic, a competitive classical guitarist and full-time professor in UAA’s music program, after the 2019 spring semester. “How [Abdihodzic] rehearses things is kind of different… he knows how to break it down and take it slow… assessing the problem and being able to tell us how to fix it and then we’re able to fix it,” Zeke Thompson, a percussionist in his sophomore year in the UAA music program, said. Thompson attributed this skill to Abdihodzic’s extra experience in the classical field. Abdihodzic’s rehearsal process occurs twice weekly in the UAA Recital Hall. The entire ensemble, made up of a handful of instrumentalists and a few vocalists who are all enrolled in the jazz ensemble
PHOTO BY ANNA BERRY
For some pieces, Abdihodzic plays bass guitar while leading the ensemble.
class, work on group pieces, sometimes splitting off into smaller groups to practice scaled-down pieces in other classrooms. Abdihodzic pointed out that the pieces he chooses for the ensemble depend on the class enrollment. In this way, a jazz ensemble is different from a single-instrument group, such as a guitar ensemble. “Whether you are dealing with three guitars or 10 guitars, everyone’s dealing with the same instrument [in a singleinstrument group], whereas with a jazz ensemble, the challenge is you’ve got to have a drummer and a rhythm section, so
hopefully enough students enroll,” Abdihodzic said. Dealing with a group of musicians that varies depending on the semester means that a lot of thought goes into choosing pieces, he says. “[It’s a challenge to] find appropriate repertoire and make sure that everyone has a role in it and nobody feels left out,” Abdihodzic said. Christobalina Sosa, a vocalist in her junior year in the UAA music program, said the biggest challenge for her in the jazz ensemble class will be learning scat singing, a common type of vocal improvisation in jazz repertoire. However, she
also enjoys having the ability to choose what she performs in the ensemble. “It’s nice to have the freedom of doing repertoire I want to do and having the opportunity to play with instruments that aren’t just a piano,” Sosa said. Improvisation like this is one difference between jazz and classical music. “We’re training [classical musicians] to strictly play these notes, play this rhythm… don’t change anything, follow what’s on the page,” Abdihodzic said. “A big part of jazz style and culture is nourishing your own voice… you can voice a chord in any way you want as long as you get that chord.” Thompson also contrasted jazz music with typical classical music. “For my [jazz] sheet [music], basically what I have in front of me is a bunch of slashes and measures and it says the genre and where certain instruments play and I play along with [them],” Thompson said. “If I make a mistake, it’s alright, as long as I don’t show it. There’s a lot of comfort in that.” Abdihodzic and his jazz ensemble have two upcoming performances during the fall semester. The ensemble’s lineup for these performances includes jazz standards by Duke Ellington and Herbie Hancock. “[The class will be performing] everything from blues to bossa nova tunes, ballads and some more adventurous jazz,” Abdihodzic said. The performances will take place on Oct. 30 and Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m. in the UAA Recital Hall. Admission is free.
SPORTS
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Seawolves suffer one loss of four-game DII West Region Showcase By Lauren Cuddihy sports@thenorthernlight.org
The Seawolf volleyball team spent the weekend of Sept. 12-14 in California competing in the Division II West Region Showcase. UAA competed in four games over the course of three days, competing against other West Region competitors for the first time this season. They made their debut on Sept. 12 against previously undefeated Cal State San Marcos. In a competitive four matches, 26-24, 25-19, 19-2 and 25-19, the Seawolves managed to come out with the win. Sophomore Eve Stephens and senior Vanessa Hayes continued to lead the Seawolves offensive team, with 15 and 13 kills, respectively. Freshman Maggie Schlueter helped UAA turn around the first set. Schlueter assisted the Seawolves’ come back from San Marcos’ eight-point lead (24-16). “The new players are doing really well. They have definitely connected fast and are doing really great things for the team,” Hayes said. Schlueter stepped up to serve and managed four aces. She continued serving for the remainder of
the set until the Seawolves surpassed San Marcos 2524 and solidified the game point. Head coach Chris Green was extremely proud of the team’s effort during their matches. “That was a truly amazing comeback. Maggie caught fire with her serve, and we kept feeding off San Marcos’ mistakes. I was even more pleased with the maturity we displayed throughout the rest of the match, especially the way we took control at the end of sets two and four,” Green said. Despite the comeback, the Seawolves again suffered another deficit in the second set. With help from Vera Pluharova knocking out four kills during the set, UAA recovered and won 25-19. After two wins in a row, the Seawolves suffered their first loss in the third set (19-25), with a .000 hitting average. However, UAA was able to recover and redeem themselves with a 25-19 win in the fourth set. UAA came back the same day to compete against Cal State San Bernardino, who is ranked second nationally. Despite a successful debut against San Marcos, the Seawolves suffered a 3-set loss against San Bernardi-
PHOTO COURTESY OF SKIP HICKEY
Freshman Maggie Schlueter helped the Seawolves to make a comeback in the first set against Cal State San Marcos on Sept. 12.
no. “Any time you play a program with the tradition that San Bernardino has, you know you’re going to be in for a difficult fight. Unfortunately, we could not match up with their All-American tonight, although our effort was good,” Green said. The Seawolves made a solid effort, but were lacking in the 25-13, 25-17, 2518 sets. UAA’s regular team leaders accumulated fewer kills than normal with Stephens securing just seven, while Hayes collected six. Middle blocker Kayla McGlathery also managed to collect seven kills, with an average of .538. On Sept. 13, the Seawolves had a competitive five-set game against conference rivals Biola. The two teams went through seemingly alternating wins, with sets of 25-17,
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tallied a total of 30 assists throughout Saturday’s matches. This comes after 39, 21, and 39 assists, respectively, over the previous three tournament games. “You know, our goal really is always to win the GNAC title, but for now, we are just trying to focus one day at a time. Our statistics are really heavy on that, if we hit above .300, if we pass above 2.200, then those are the statistics we need to win GNAC, so we are well on our way,” Hayes said. After completing the four-game tournament, the Seawolves are currently sitting second in the conference standings, despite not having played any conference games. UAA has a 5-3 overall record, tied with Central Washington. Ahead of them is the currently undefeated Western Washington, who holds an 8-0 record. The Seawolves will begin GNAC competition on Sept. 19 in Seattle, Washington, competing against Seattle Pacific University. SPU currently sits seventh in conference standings with a 3-5 record. For a full UAA volleyball schedule and game results, visit www.goseawolves.com.
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18-25, 25-11, 21-25, 161s, that allowed the Seawolves to win 3-2 after a 3-1 win against Biola last week. Stephens and Hayes stepped up and secured their regular double-digit kills, 16 and 14, respectively. Both players also stepped up defensively. Hayes managed to accumulate 13 digs during the night, while Stephens collected 10 digs and five blocks. “Any time it comes down to just a few points at the end like that, you need veterans who won’t panic, and Vanessa [Hayes] stepped up especially big as our only senior. She made some plays during those final few rallies — including a couple of huge digs — that allowed us to get this victory,” Green said. In addition, Pluharova stepped up against Biola
to tie her career-high nine blocks. Pluharova kept up the competition during the Saturday game against Point Loma. The Seawolves managed a quick three-set win (25-21, 2521, 25-21). “That was our most complete match thus far. Our block was big today, especially Vera [Pluharova], who really took control of the middle defensively. We’re pleased to be coming out of here with three wins, but it won’t mean much unless we keep improving, with GNAC play starting next week,” Green said. Pluharova led the Seawolves’ defense with eight total blocks, while also securing six kills and no errors. She was followed by Stephens with five blocks, who also helped to lead the offense with 16 kills, while Hayes struggled to secure her normally double-digit kills, tallying just eight. However, Hayes still managed to get a solid .300 hitting average and four aces. Overall, the Seawolves managed a .216 hitting average on 36 kills. Point Loma collected two more total kills than the Seawolves, but with a .194 average, they suffered from their own errors. Ellen Floyd, the Seawolves’ primary setter,
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