September 4, 2012

THENORTHERNLIGHT SEPTEMBER 4, 2012

UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA ANCHORAGE

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Local business ousts Starbucks

UAA students support new Kaladi Brothers cafe

Seawolves beat Alumni in annual preseason game

PHOTO BY J. ALMENDAREZ

By J. Almendarez Managing Editor

The Kaladi Brothers cafe opened between the social science building and the consortium library the week of Aug. 26.

By Evan Dodd News Editor

The social science building/ consortium library cafe is under new management by Kaladi Brothers Coffee. The cafe will continue to be supervised by NANA Management Services, contracted by UAA Dining Services.

NANA has held UAA’s Dining Services contract since 2007 after the university chose not to renew Aramark’s food service contract

with the university.

Dining Services General Manager Scott Evers explained his dedication to serve campus through the new cafe.

“We are really excited about our expanded partnership with Kaladi Brothers and the new cafe on campus,” said Evers. We’re Alaskans serving Alaskans.”

Dale Tran, chief operating officer at Kaladi Brothers Coffee, said, “We take a different approach to coffee; we have more

First female Supreme Court Justice stops by Anchorage

PHOTO COURTESY OF WALLY MCNAMEE/CORBIS

By Nita Mauigoa Staff Reporter

The Supreme Court of the United States was comprised solely of men until 1981. Former

News INDEX 3 Features 5 News A&E 7 2 Features 11 3 Sports A&E Opinion 12 6 Sports Comics 14 9 Opinion 10 Comics 11

U.S. President Ronald Regan changed history that year when he appointed Sandra Day O’Connor as the first female Supreme Court Justice.

“She epitomized what women in the ‘80s and well into the twenty-first century could dream of their achievements,” said Kim Pace, director of UAA’s Women’s Studies program and term assistant professor for the Department of Political Sciences.

O’Connor has traveled

See O’CONNOR page 5

of a hands-on, artisan approach than Starbucks, and I think that students will really respond to that. We just want to be a part of students’ lives. Students are at a critical point in their education.

We’d like to be a part of that experience.”

Tran said that Kaladi’s has been interested in working with UAA for some time and is very satisfied with the new agreement.

“This is a joint decision between the university’s management and

PHOTO BY NICK FOOTE

the food services contract. We’ve always wanted to be here, and now it looked like the time was right,” said Tran. “We have stood readily by over the years for any opportunity that may arise, and we fought tooth and nail to get our foot in the door.”

The new Kaladi cafe will not affect the use of Kaladi’s brand coffee at other locations around campus.

“Historically, NANA management has used Kaladi’s

See STARBUCKS page 4

The women’s volleyball team took home victories in four of the five sets played during the first scrimmage of the season Aug.25.

The Lady Seawolves faced off against the Seawolves Alumni, a team of former UAA players.

Annually, the Seawolves Alumni return to challenge the new Lady Seawolves’ prestige as college athletes in a friendly, yet competitive, atmosphere.

McKenzie Moss, who played outside hitter from 2008-2011 and played for the Seawolf Alumni team for the first time, said, “It’s kind of something you look forward to doing as a player.”

She said it’s a Seawolf tradition for players to return in this way to check out the new team and have

See ALUMNI page 11

USUAA swears in new senator

By J. Almendarez Managing Editor

At the first meeting of the semester, Alejandra Buitrago, Union of Students at the University of Alaska president, swore in history freshman Andrew Lessig as a new senator.

The 10 other senators in attendance unanimously voted Lessig into office.

During his speech before the vote, Lessig said he’s been involved as a class representative

since grade school and wants to continue to participate in politics to help serve his campus.

Buitrago said Lessig turned in the mandatory 100 signatures required for consideration for the position on the first day of classes.

She said she encourages others to apply to fill the remaining seven senator positions in USUAA because people are sometimes unaware of the time needed to participate in student government and do not successfully complete

See USUAA page 3

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New Owl City album delivers strongly

Off-campus The price living has an of being never artistbeen easier

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their term.

Senators are required to be on at least two standing committees, be in the office for at least two hours per week and do at least one senator project.

Buitrago also informed the union that she is looking to find interested members to be a part of the Green Fee Board.

She said after the meeting that the Green Fee Board will be responsible for the funds collected from the $3 green fee students

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SPORTS

NFL referee negotiations

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NEWS

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September 4, 2012

NEWS BRIEFS

USUAA: Parking, green fee discussed

SAY WHAT?!

Continued From Cover

98-year-old message in bottle sets world record PHOTO COURTESY OF MARCELA CATALDI CIPOLLA

Yoko Ono to launch anti-fracking artists coalition NEW YORK (AP) — Yoko Ono and her son, Sean Lennon, are launching a coalition of artists, musicians and filmmakers against hydraulic fracturing in New York state.

The group is called Artists Against Fracking. It comprises 146 members, including big names like Lady Gaga, Paul McCartney and Alec Baldwin.

The formation of the coalition to be announced Wednesday comes as Gov. Andrew Cuomo decides whether to allow shale gas drilling using highvolume hydraulic fracturing.

The group says such drilling is harmful and poses the threat of contamination. They say they want to spread awareness of the issue through “peaceful democratic action.”

Cuomo is expected to allow drilling to begin on a limited basis near the Pennsylvania border. More than 1,000 demonstrators swarmed Albany on Monday to demand that Cuomo ban the practice.

Student unrest reemerges as election issue in Quebec MONTREAL (The Canadian Press) — With just one week to go before Quebecers vote in a provincial election on September 4th, student unrest threatens to regain center stage.

So far, the crisis over plans to raise tuition fees has barely registered as an election issue, after the vast majority of Quebec’s students voted to end their boycotts. But yesterday, on the first day of school, protesters disrupted classes at two universities in Montreal.

They entered classrooms, noisily banged on pots, pulled fire alarms and blew on air horns while ordering students to leave. And, for the first time, police acting on Quebec’s new back-to-school law detained 19 people. The law sets out stiff penalties for protesters who block schools, but critics say it infringes on the right to protest.

Iraq war resister to find out today if she will be deported TORONTO (The Canadian Press) — An American soldier who has been living in Canada with her family for the past five years will learn today if she will be deported to the United States.

Kimberly Rivera, the first female U.S. war resister, fled to Canada in 2008 to avoid further military service.

She had initially arrived while on leave but then applied for refugee status. The War Resisters Support Campaign says Rivera will face harsh penalties if she is ordered to return to the United States. The group says two other Iraq war resisters who were deported, Robin Long and Clifford Cornell, faced year-long jail sentences upon their return.

Compiled by J. Almendarez

PHOTO BY J. ALMENDAREZ

USUAA President Alejandra Buitrago swears in new senator Andrew Lessig at the first meeting of the fall semester Friday.

will begin to pay next semester.

“It’s a new thing, but students really wanted it,” she said.

The fee was inspired by a similar one at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, charging students $20 per semester for sustainability projects.

The UAF Student Initiative for Renewable Energy Now fee has already paid for a solar panel project that replaced 4.5 percent of the university’s 2009 energy expenditure.

Buitrago said the board needs three USUAA members, two nonmember students and one faculty

adviser to be on the board.

She said interested people should contact USUAA administrative assistant Anita Bradbury at 907-786-1203.

While there were no committee, representative or assembly board reports because they have not met yet this semester, two senators talked about carryover projects from the spring semester.

Senator Johnnie Templeton said he was still working with parking services as a student representative.

Buitrago said after the meeting that Templeton communicated

with parking services about students’ discontent with lack of parking on campus and is making efforts to have snow plowed to seldom used areas of campus during the winter rather than occupying space in parking lots.

Senator Max Bullock updated the union about his efforts to start a potentially free bike share program on campus.

He said after the meeting his idea started when the University Police Department donated eight bikes to the union that were used in crimes.

Read more at thenorthernlight.org

Missing deadlines cost cash

By J. Almendarez Managing Editor

Students wanting to drop or add classes must do so within the week. Eric Pedersen, associate vice chancellor for enrollment, said in an email that dropping a class by Sept. 7 allows a student to remove the course from their academic transcript.

He said students can add or drop courses online with their instructor’s permission or, if the instructor does not do online approvals, can turn in a complete add/drop form by 5 p.m. to the UAA On-Stop at the University Center.

Students can also add or drop classes in UA Online’s registration menu located within the “student services and account information” category found when logging in.

This option is available until 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 7 if there are no holds on the student’s account.

However, Pedersen warns students that changing the number of credits one is registered for can affect financial aid.

“If they drop below 12 credits, they change to a part-time student and their financial aid is automatically recalculated each night. If a student received a disbursement and a refund check based upon full-time registration,

they’ll likely have to return a portion of it,” he said.

Pedersen recommends students check the “line cams” feature at http://phb.uaa.alaska.edu/camera/ to see live footage of how busy the One-Stop is. To alternately avoid the rush, students can go there from 8-10 a.m., which are the slowest times at the center.

He also said a photo ID or passport is needed to process the Add/Drop Forms, and exceptions cannot be made for the requirement.

If a student wishes to change the course section instead of add/dropping a course entirely, Pedersen said they can also change course sections until Sept. 14 with their instructor’s permission.

Courses can be dropped after the deadline until Nov. 16 for a withdrawal on one’s transcript, but tuition and fees will still be charged for the course.

Pederson cautioned students that withdrawals might also affect one’s financial aid eligibility because of UAA’s Satisfactory Academic Progress, or SAP, requirements in later semesters because withdrawals are recorded as incomplete courses.

The SAP states, “Academic Progress will be reviewed at the end of each semester to ensure

the student has met the minimum GPA requirements and complete 67 percent of attempted credit hours at the University of Alaska Anchorage and credits that have been taken at other institutions and transferred to the student’s degree program.”

It also verifies that a withdrawal (marked with the letter “W”) will count toward a student’s “maximum timeframe.”

A student’s maximum timeframe is 150 percent of the required credit hours their degree program offers. For instance, if a student needs 120 credits to graduate, the student may receive financial aid for the first 180 hours attempted.

The progress is reviewed at the end of every semester. Students, however, may file an appeal if their financial aid is denied, and they can prove unusual circumstances caused the infraction.

Pedersen said he did not have final numbers for the amount of students who were ineligible for financial aid because of the SAP requirements, but he said he is working on finding out what those numbers are.

For more information about the SAP and the effect of withdrawals on financial aid qualifications, visit http://bit.ly/ORCZti

The payment deadline for the fall semester is 5 p.m. Sept. 7 at the cashier’s office at the University Center. Payments can also be made with a credit card at UA Online. Unpaid charges will assess a $125 fee. Overdue balances will assess another $175 late-fee if not paid by Nov. 5. UAA does not have a “drop for nonpayment” policy, so students neglecting to drop or withdraw from classes will still be responsible for tuition and fees, and they will have a hold placed on their account if the balance is left unpaid. The University of Alaska Fairbanks, however, has a ‘drop for nonpayment’ policy, so courses offered though that university, even if taken at UAA, will be affected instantly for nonpayment.

LONDON — It was scooped up from the sea after 98 years, and now officials say a message in a bottle discovered in Scotland has set a world record.

Fisherman Andrew Leaper found the bottle — released in 1914 — in his nets in April while sailing east of the Shetland Islands, which lie off Scotland’s northern coast.

Guinness World Records confirmed Thursday the find is the oldest message in a bottle ever recovered, beating a previous record by five years.

It was released in a batch of 1,890 bottles in a government experiment to map the undercurrents of the seas around Scotland.

Inside each bottle, a postcard asks the finder to record details of the discovery and promises a reward of a sixpence. Unfortunately for Leaper, the coin no longer exists.

NM inmate uses Popsicle sticks in escape attempt HOBBS, N.M. — New Mexico corrections officers say an inmate escaped his jail cell by breaking a window bar with a razor blade and Popsicle stick but changed his mind once he got outside.

Carlos Garcia told police it took about five months to break the bar on his cell window at the Lea County jail with those materials. He also used plastic, newspaper and more Popsicle sticks to fashion a fake window.

The Hobbs News-Sun reports that Garcia changed his mind and climbed back into his second-story cell using a bedsheet.

Garcia has been moved to a maximum-security ward at the state penitentiary. He is serving time for two murder convictions and other crimes.

A state Corrections Department spokeswoman says the Aug. 20 escape attempt is under investigation.

British police call off search for supposed lion LONDON — So, were the locals lying about the lion?

Police said Monday that they’ve found no evidence to support area residents’ claims that they’d spotted a big cat prowling the countryside near the idyllic village of St. Osyth, in the southeastern English county of Essex.

Sunday’s reported sightings alarmed many of the village’s 4,000 people, and authorities sent about 40 officers, tranquilizer-toting zoo experts, and a pair of heat-seeking helicopters to the area in an effort to find the beast.

But a police spokeswoman said that, after an extensive search, “we’ve found no evidence” of a lion. The creature spotted Sunday night may have been a large domestic cat or a wildcat, she added.

So does that mean there never was any lion?

The official, who spoke on customary condition of anonymity, demurred, noting that the people interviewed by police were convinced they’d spotted a lion. That aside, she said, “We’ve stopped searching for it.”

It seems the mysterious “Essex lion” will join a number of other mythical beasts that at times appear and then disappear into Britain’s forests and seaside — particularly in the dead of summer, when journalists struggle to fill papers and news bulletins.

Compiled from the Associated Press by J. Almendarez

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NEWS September 4, 2012

Stay On Track program revamped for the upcoming school year

By Shawna Sweeney Web Editor

As a new class of freshmen begin their college experience at UAA this fall, the last thing on their minds is what year they will eventually graduate. Most expect to graduate in four years, but few have a firm completion date in mind.

As part of University of Alaska’s Stay On Track campaign, incoming freshmen were asked during new student orientation in August what year they planned to graduate before they signed up for classes. Responses varied, but for many students 2016 or 2017 seemed like the distant future. Adding this question to the orientation process was intended to help students set goals for graduation and think about when they would actually complete a degree.

GRAPHIC BY NICK FOOTE

Introduced in October 2011, the Stay On Track marketing campaign and website offered information and strategies to “Finish In Four,” encouraging students to take a full time class load of at least 15 credits per semester. The program was implemented in response to data that showed low graduation rates from University of Alaska schools. According to a University of Alaska Completion Profile published by the university in 2011, only 11.6 percent of full time students complete a bachelor’s degree within four years and 28.3 percent of students finish within six years.

“Most students come in with the expectation that they are going to complete a bachelor’s in four years, but then the decisions they make along the way do not afford them that opportunity,” said Mary

Gower, director of enrollment services at University of Alaska Fairbanks.

“Most students come in with the expectation that they are going to complete a bachelors in four years, but then the decisions they make along the way do not afford them that opportunity.”

– Mary Gower, University of Alaska Fairbanks director of enrollment services “The minimum requirement for federal financial aid is 12 credits, so that has just become the norm. We’re doing some things to bring attention back to the fact that 15 credits is full-time and the minimum is 12 credits.”

By taking longer to complete a degree, students not only pay more in rising tuition costs and university fees, but they also lose

STARBUCKS: Business replaced at UAA C F C ontinued

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over

coffee at the Union Station, Bear Necessities and the Spirit Express and will continue to do so,” said Tran.

Tran highlighted the local, community-minded aspect of Kaladi as an added benefit of the new management.

“We can achieve much more than just selling coffee. We support community events, such as the Haunted Halloween Fun Night, that maybe a national franchise could not,” said Tran..

“That was an opportunity that we undertook to support the local community. Our slogan is ‘catalyst for community,’ and that is exactly what we intend to do.”

Kaladi Brothers Coffee, UAA’s office of student clubs and Greek life, and General

Communications Inc., hosted the Halloween Fun Night in 2010 in response to the cancellation of the annual Trick or Treat Town.

Many students have reacted positively to the arrival, expressing excitement at the opportunity to support a local business.

Kitty Mahoney, theater sophomore, voiced her approval of the new management, highlighting the local, inviting atmosphere.

“I was the head barista for a Kaladi Brothers Coffee stand all summer, so I’m thrilled that they’re now on campus,” said Mahoney. “I feel like Kaladi’s Coffee appeals to a greater audience than Starbucks. I always thought their [Starbucks] coffee

potential increases in income by not entering the workforce earlier.

According to UAA enrollment data for Fall 2011, 11.9 percent of students across the University of Alaska system were enrolled in 15 credits or more. At UAA, where 60 percent of students are considered part-time, the average enrollment is nine credits per semester.

The message is gaining momentum, however, and last spring saw a 14.6 percent increase in the number of students enrolled in at least 15 credits.

To gather more information and improve the scope of the program, the University of Alaska offered an online survey asking students, faculty and staff for feedback regarding the Stay On Track initiatives. 1,300 students responded to the survey, and, while feedback was mainly positive, many students believed completing a degree in four years was unrealistic and unfairly

had a bitter taste.”

Elysha Fairclough, early childhood education sophomore, echoed Mahoney’s attitude towards the new atmosphere of the Kaladi’s cafe.

“It’s so much more relaxed now. When Starbucks ran the cafe everything seemed so high strung,” said Fairclough. “Now the cafe is somewhere that I would want to spend my time.”

The cafe is open 7:45 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Monday-Thursdays and Fridays from 7:45 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

“Though the cafe in the SSB may not look completely different than Starbucks was, there has been a huge shift that students will notice. The change is in the cup,” said Tran.

stigmatized students who could only attend part time because of financial, work or family reasons.

“We want to de-emphasize the Finish In Four [message] this year,” said Bruce Schultz, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.

“We recognize that students need to finish on their time and the best thing that we can do is

identify the strategies that are going to support them to complete on their time. We want them to be aware that even if their capacity is only to take nine credit hours there’s resources available that they need to look into.”

Instead of asking students to “Finish In Four,” the Stay On Track campaign has been redesigned to focus on five key strategies for completing a degree program in the shortest time possible. They are: - choosing a major within the first three semesters of enrollment - taking at least 30 credits per year including summer classes - registering early to get required classes - cultivating an open dialogue with academic advisors - maintaining good grades “The goal here is really completion,” said Linda Morgan, director of UAA’s advising and testing center. “This is a big goal that you’ve set in your life to leave here with a college degree. I think that one thing that has changed this year is that the institution has changed the message just a little bit.

We want to take into consideration that although it’s important that we stay on target we do acknowledge the fact that one size does not fit all. I think that was an unintentional thing that happened the first year it rolled out.”

For more information about Stay on Track, visit http://www.alaska. edu/stayontrack/.

FEATURES

September 4, 2012

New off-campus living guides hit shelves

First gay experience

By Vicente Capala

him, or any guy for that matter. I finally submitted to his constant So everyone tends to have barrage of “When can I finally interesting stories of how they lost meet you?” and decided that if their virginity, myself included. I were ever to figure out if I was I am currently a freshly sprouted sexually attracted to men, then gay within the community, slowly I needed to take a chance. I said easing myself in to this whole new “Yes, meet me at Starbucks at world. Now, before you continue noon tomorrow.” reading my ever-so-revealing I met him and he was very story of how I lost my V-Card, you much a gentleman. The date must understand that I obviously ended shortly with him asking me was once a confused straight man. when he could see me again. I still I once had a girlfriend, very hesitated and joked with “I’ll text loving indeed, but something you.” Obviously I did not want to always felt very peculiar. When lie.

I was with her I felt at peace, A week later, I decided I would never really make an effort in knowing what getting to know I was missing. him. I went to She then broke his house. He up with me cooked Thai because I was food and was too harsh. I very sweet. He tend to agree then asked, “Do with that you want to assessment, cuddle?” I had and I never cuddled apologized in with a man later months for before, but I being so. We did it. It was ...

ILLUSTRATION BY VICENTE CAPALA had never done nice. He then anything except for the occasional proceeded to kiss my neck, and for make out session. After her, I you readers out there, my neck is a never had much interest in anyone very sensitive spot. One thing lead else. Then my freshman year of to another. I basically received my college happened. This was my first everything involving a man experimentation phase. with him. It was not an enjoyable In all honesty, I was never experience for me. I, however, am really attracted to either sex to an not the kind to just drop something extreme degree. I would usually and leave rudely. I let it go further rate the beauty in a person by how to the point where we just “did it.” well their face was structured or He carried me into his room with how they were built and so on, so I such vigor. I did not know what I was more an admirer than a lover. was getting myself into. One thing I began to open up the idea that I was very conscious about was the I could be bisexual. So my first usage of a condom. He took it slow. course of action was to apply it I myself thought, “Just let it end.” I through social media in the name had never felt such a great deal of of GRINDR. pain in my life. He finished, and GRINDR is a mobile app for I quickly rushed to the bathroom gays to basically reveal who is or with a spur of random thoughts is not available. It could be seen as through my mind. the real “gay-dar.” A gay can chat “Did I just do it with a man?” with other gays, questionings, or “Did I just lose my virginity?” bisexuals easily without the hassle “Did I just eat Thai food before of sifting through who is straight I had sex?” and who is not.

With that, I washed myself of On my first day with this my actions and got dressed. He app I received a total of twenty- gave me a hug and I sat down on something personal messages. the couch staring at the muted Oddly enough, they contained movie playing on the TV. I stood paraphrased versions of “hello” up and told him I had to leave following a compliment. to go catch a game of World of I politely messaged back to Warcraft — it was a Tuesday. most of those who seemed decent. He asked, “When can I see you I kept conversation with a couple, again?” I replied with “I’ll text and lost interest in the rest. you.” I left his apartment, got into A couple weeks had gone by, my car and drove off. and I had been asked on a few As I was driving into the sunset, dates — none of them, however, I felt odd about not enjoying it. I I agreed to. There was one guy will remember many things about in particular that kept insisting that evening. One thing I will on taking me out. I was just very probably never eat again is Thai hesitant about actually seeing Food.

Multimedia Editor

PHOTO BY NITA MAULGOA

By Nita Mauigoa Staff Reporter

Finding a place to call home can feel like a perpetual task for college students. The last thing a busy student wants to do is sift through dozens of listings only to go through the whole process again months later — especially when wallets are thin and time is limited.

The off-campus housing bulletin board in the heart of Student Union is cluttered with all sorts of postings: roommates wanted, houses for rent, rooms for rent, even cabins for rent. It’s a great tool, but fliers can only take one so far.

Fliers do not answer the basic questions potential renters should know. How can conflict with the landlord be resolved? What are the rights of tenants? What should be looked for in a lease agreement?

With 90 percent of the student population living off campus, UAA saw that resources beyond the bulletin board were necessary.

UAA provides off-campus living services through the Department of Student Union and Commuter Student Services. The program was designed to assist students looking for off-campus housing and to help answer any

questions they may have. Students have the option to meet with a staff member or visit the main website for more information. Off-campus living guides, the department’s newest addition to their services, are efficient and provide additional in-depth guidance.

Commuter Student Services gave out their first batch of guides during Campus Kickoff and reported a success.

“It’s easy for us students to sit down with other students because you can relate and you’ve been in their shoes,” said Alison Brohaugh, Student Union and Commuter Student Services student manager. “But if students don’t want to sit there for a half an hour with us, this is an easy takeaway to do it on their own.”

Brohaugh, like other student workers involved with off-campus living services, has gone through training sessions, thoroughly covering the thick packets.

“It talks about everything from conflict to respect, moving, paying your rent, privacy, noise levels — everything,” Brohaugh said.

The packet includes sample lease agreements with tips on what to look for. It also has a sample roommate agreement, a

tool used to avoid the pitfalls of a “roommate scenario.”

“We find that friends move in together, and the world seems great at the time. Then there comes a time they’re not friends anymore,” Commuter Student Services Coordinator David Murdoch said. “That’s okay, but there is still that $1,500 a month lease that still needs to be paid.”

Murdoch said the packet has been in the works for two years.

He found that landlords in Alaska tend to be “anti-student” — not because of behavioral issues, but because contracts become tricky when dealing with semesters and transfers.

The packet is just one of Commuter Student Services’ efforts to help students living off campus when faced with those roadblocks.

Dawn Dooley, associate dean of students, said, “We want all our students to feel like they belong, whether they live off campus or not.”

Off-campus living guides are available at the information desk in Student Union. For more information on the off-campus living guides, call David Murdoch at 786-1124

O’CONNOR: Alaska civic education tour Continued From Cover

throughout the country promoting civic education since her retirement in 2006.

She will visit Alaska for the third time Sept. 5 to promote her online education program, iCivics, through various events in Anchorage.

“O’Connor’s purpose is to bring attention to all of us about how the government works,” said Barbara Hood, communications counsel of the Alaska Court System and iCivics coordinator.

The iCivics program was

designed to teach people about the various branches of government through interactive games.

Although the program’s target audience is middle school-aged children, people of all ages can learn through it.

“I’ve played them and I’ve enjoyed them,” Hood said.

O’Connor will speak in a reception at the Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center. The event is open to the public with preregistration.

She will also make appearances

at Central Middle School and West High School. Attendance at both events is invitation only.

“How many times do you get a Supreme Court Justice to come to your school?” said Brian Hosken, assistant principal of West High School. “It makes education much more real for students. It’s an event we are all just excited about.”

For more information on Sandra Day O’Connor’s iCivics program, visit http://www. icivics.org

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September 4, 2012

Can you lose weight if you eat with smaller utensils?

By Kate Lindsley contributor

Although switching to your niece or nephew’s silverware can cause a dent in your dignity, there are a few reasons why switching to smaller utensils works for permanent weight loss.

Eating with smaller utensils — and a smaller place setting altogether, actually — makes you more mindful of the food you eat. Using a petite spoon and fork requires a bit more concentration of the task at hand.

This level of concentration helps with feeling fuller, according to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2011. In this study, when participants were distracted while eating (likely with their bigkid utensils), they were not aware when they were full and therefore ate more food.

The awareness of being full is linked to the speed at which we eat.

It takes the brain a full 20 minutes to process that the stomach is full.

This is due to the slow nature of

the satiation-signaling hormone leptin.

But most people eat their share of a meal in less than 20 minutes, especially if they’re in a rush. The connection between putting less food in your mouth with each bite and eating slower is indisputable; if you need to take two or three small bites to equal one normal bite, you’ve slowed your eating time down.

Also, the amount of bites you take increases the amount of pancreatic juices secreted. This can be the most complicated part of the whole explanation, so stay with me.

Even before you’ve put food in your mouth, your intestines are at work. Say you’ve just smelled some awesome kettle corn (fair time, anyone?). Your stomach knows food is on the way and it gets ready to digest the snack.

When you start chewing, even more digestive chemicals are released by the pancreas to help move things along. Once you swallow and your stomach starts churning up the popcorn, the rest of the juices squirt into the the upper part of the small intestine known as the duodenum.

All of these reactions take time.

Therefore, the more bites you take, the more gastric juices are

ILLUSTRATION BY NICK FOOTE

secreted, and the better digestion goes overall.

Well, at least as good as digestion can go with a stomach

full of kettle corn.

The mindfulness of eating, the time it takes to eat a meal with pint-sized flatware and the proper

activity of your digestive tract are all part of the trick designed to fool your body into losing some permanent weight.

Packing, re-packing, unpacking and also spiders

ILLUSTRATION BY VICENTE CAPALA

By Evan Dodd News Editor

Spiders, spiders, everywhere.

This was my first thought upon hauling my mountain of college crap from the deep hellish abyss of my crawlspace, searching for

last year’s college gear.

It’s not that I have a specific issue with spiders, unlike my irrational phobia of all things related to bees. I just don’t want them living in all of my clothes, bedding and nesting in my

microwave. I really don’t think that I’m asking too much here.

And so began the semi-annual college pack-a-thon, a process that inevitably includes broken glass, stubbed toes and the occasional angry outburst at innocent bystanders.

Perhaps my first mistake was attempting to cram all of my worldly processions into the cab of my perpetually broken Ford.

I suppose I could have given in and simply packed them into the truck bed with a tarp, but instead my sense of paranoia kicked in, quickly putting an end to that idea.

Excuse me for trying to safeguard my pineapple lamp and tribal masks from the evil clutches of parking lot thieves.

After finally fitting everything I own into a space roughly the size of a small airport bathroom, I embarked upon the brief trek to Anchorage, which would have been fine, had it not been pouring like Armageddon whilst my rearview mirror was blocked by an abnormally large poster of Stephen Colbert.

One unnecessarily nerve-

wracking drive later, I arrived on campus, ready to unleash my collection of “awesome” (in this case meaning somewhat tacky) decorations upon my unsuspecting roommates.

Admittedly they were… less than pleased at the sight of me furiously hurling my belongings haphazardly through the window. Though I’m sure that I didn’t exactly give the best first impression, I do think that I eventually won them over with my kick-ass golden lava lamp.

I knew that would come in handy.

As expected, the unpacking of my life was far worse than the packing had been. It seemed that all of my belongings had shifted, bounced, shattered and bent during the transition, and now had to be slowly pieced back together.

And thus began the quasiorganized checklist I had scribbled upon the back of a cereal box with a crayon.

Pirate flag? Check.

Honey badger coffee cup?

Check.

Tacky souvenir shot glasses, in more pieces than I remember?

Check.

Three hours, two scraped knees and one refrigeration disaster later, I had finally unpacked the entirety of my truck. Wading bravely across the sea of broken glass upon my floor, I called out to my new roommates to witness the glory of what I had done.

They were not as excited as I had expected and instead of bowing down to my greatness they instead chose to slowly sidle out of the room, muttering about my insanity all the way.

I don’t mind because I still have the peace of mind that comes with a clean, unpac-WAIT! Where in the hell is my tooth brush? And my pillows? And my wok!?

Damn it.

At the end of it all it became apparent that I had forgotten or lost at least half of my things along the way. Except for the spiders. I still have plenty of spiders.

Tune in next week as I try to figure out if my roommates are ax-murderers!

ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT

07

OPINION

Why religious arguments are uneducated arguments

By Heather Hamilton A&E Editor

Madonna made headlines last week when she took the time to vocalize her support of gay rights during a concert in St. Petersburg, Russia.

She was immediately slapped with a lawsuit over it.

There is a law in St. Petersburg that bars the promotion of homosexuality in front of minors — and some audience members were allegedly as young as 12 at the concert in question.

A story posted on Yahoo! News via the Associated Press garnered hundreds of user comments debating the issue. Surprisingly few of them were about the merits of suing the pop star. Most were, in fact, debating whether or not gays were perverts, whether or not God said so and whether or not God was real.

None of that is relevant to the debate and, in fact, cheapens it. Here are the facts: Madonna went to St. Petersburg and broke a law. Now she is being sued for damages. The debates should be: “Does Madonna have the right to voice her personal opinions in that forum?” and “Was she let off easy, given that her alleged offense was criminal, not civil?”

The comments posted do lead to an interesting observation, as many of their writers either quote the Bible to make their point or denounce God and the Bible’s truthfulness and validity. Making a point using religious arguments, either in favor for or against a given topic, just doesn’t work.

Here’s the deal: If you believe in God in any capacity, and that belief influences your personal outlook on various topics, that is fantastic. You can definitely cite that as a reason for feeling the way you feel, and you don’t deserve to be bashed for it.

Likewise, if you don’t believe in God or believe in a different form of God, you have the right to use that to explain your opposing outlook on the same topic without being attacked.

However, quoting or proclaiming the Bible isn’t valid.

It doesn’t do anything to help you promote your case to the opposing side.

You cannot convince a nonbeliever to believe so simply, and calling them names and telling them they will answer for not believing by going to hell will not convince them that you are right — it just makes you look intolerant.

On the flip side, if you call someone names and tell them that they are blindly following an archaic work of fiction will not make them see the metaphorical light. It will only make you look intolerant as well.

An educated argument is structured as follows: one side presents its stance, the opposing side presents its stance, and then the first side justifies its stance with facts. The opposing side takes those facts and attempts to debunk them with opposing facts, while also giving its own reasons for choosing the position it is defending.

The winner of the argument is the side which convinces the other, through logic and reason, that their opinion is more correct.

Or, as is often the case, both sides will simply agree to disagree, and the argument ends in a draw.

For example, here is a constructive argument: Side A says, “I believe that chocolate is superior to vanilla.”

Side B replies with, “Good sir, I believe you are mistaken, vanilla is clearly better than chocolate.”

Side A would then retaliate with, “Ah, but chocolate is a much richer, deeper flavor than vanilla, and lingers longer on the taste buds.”

Side B would then rebut with, “It is true that chocolate is a richer flavor, but lighter flavors are more appealing, and being a lighter flavor doesn’t mean it fades more swiftly than a deeper one.”

This would continue until either one side concedes, or both sides realize they feel too strongly to change their differing opinions.

Neither outcome is wrong, and both are respectful. Some people just feel differently, and that isn’t wrong.

But telling someone that you are of the correct opinion using a parameter that they don’t recognize as valid, and then insulting them for not recognizing that parameter is neither effective nor respectful. You simply cannot win an argument that way. What you need to do is find quantifiable evidence for your claim, angles that both sides recognize as important.

With regards to the Madonna fiasco, I support the sentiment that Madonna promoted in St. Petersburg, but the fact is that she broke one of their laws and that makes her accountable.

We expect foreigners to follow U.S. laws when they enter our country, and similarly, Madonna should be expected to follow local laws when she enters other countries.

There is no reason here to debate the evils, merits or biblical opinion of homosexuality, because that isn’t the issue at hand.

And, even if it was, Biblespouting or Bible-bashing will not help you to effectively promote your opinion. You’ll just look like an uneducated troll who doesn’t have anything better to argue with or about.

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September 4, 2012

FEATURES TNL

Owl City’s MySpace fame not forgotten

MUSIC REVIEW

By Heather Hamilton A&E Editor

Adam Young is one of the few MySpace musician success stories we still care about. His fourth studio album under his Owl City music project, “The Midsummer Station,” is a good example of why.

To recap, Owl City is an electronic music project Young began in his parents’ basement in Minnesota. It is one of multiple music projects, each of which have a different sound and appeal. Owl City’s previous albums include: “Ocean Eyes,” “All Things Bright and Beautiful” and “Maybe I’m Dreaming.”

“The Midsummer Station” is a spark of growth for Owl City, and is more cohesively upbeat than the past albums. What this means is that listeners aren’t bogged down

by songs that feel too serious when they’d rather move to move to something fun.

And, boy, does Owl City produce danceable music. The single “Good Time,” a duet with Carly Rae Jepsen, is grin worthy.

It’s easy to get sucked into the simple but well-defined beat and end up unconsciously head bobbing in time to it.

“Dreams and Disasters” is another appealing song that marries Young’s smooth vocals with the light but pronounced beats of the music. It’s a song that you can both move and relax to, like many of the others on this album. No matter your mood, it’s hard to dismiss, even as it blends in with the rest of the tracks.

One of the most electronicbased tracks on the album is “Speed of Love,” which sports

synthesized vocals and decidedly unique sounds that could only come through a computer program.

It plays to the song’s advantage; instead of cheapening the overall sound, it pairs well with the lyrics, which utilize futuristic descriptions. The track, despite being heavily edited, has a wellconstructed concept that makes it more fun than frustrating.

Mr. Young, keep up the good work. Owl City is a social mediaborn treasure.

Artist: Owl City Album: “The Midsummer Station” Genre: Pop, Electronic Label: Universal Republic Release Date: Aug. 21, 2012

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Pay is approximately $16 per hour, depending on experience. To apply for this position, please send or deliver your resume directly to uaa oir@uaa.alaska. edu, or apply to the Institutional Research temp pool on UA jobs.

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SPORTS

SPORTS BRIEFS

Favre remains silent about trists NEW YORK — Brett Favre’s lawyers say he shouldn’t have to respond to some embarrassing claims about his personal life that two massage therapists are making in a lawsuit against him.

The massage therapists say the New York Jets blacklisted them after they objected to suggestive messages the legendary quarterback allegedly sent to another woman.

Among other things, they asked him to admit or deny he solicited women for sex trysts and sent explicit photos to a former Jets game hostess. The request was part of a procedural step in their 2011 lawsuit.

Favre’s attorneys filed papers this week asking a court to say he doesn’t have to answer.

Armstrong still a winner?

MONTREAL — Lance Armstrong introduced himself as a seven-time Tour de France champion at a cancer conference.

“My name is Lance Armstrong.

I am a cancer survivor,’’ he said to open his speech to the World Cancer Congress. “I’m a father of five. And yes, I won the Tour de France seven times.’’

Armstrong announced last week he would no longer challenge the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency’s drug charges against him. USADA threw out his competitive victories dating to 1998, which include all seven Tour wins.

Hokey lockout looms NEW YORK — The NHL and NHLPA remained at an impasse in the latest round of collective bargaining talks as the deadline for a lockout looms.

The players’ association took issue with the latest NHL proposal that commissioner Gary Bettman called “meaningful’’ and “significant.’’

Donald Fehr, the NHLPA’s executive director, and his assistants have broken down Bettman’s latest offering. Fehr is expected to make a counterproposal as early as Thursday.

MLB and ESPN make a deal NEW YORK — Major League Baseball and ESPN extended their television contract through 2021 in a deal that almost doubles the amount the network will pay annually for baseball content while also all but eliminating local blackouts for ESPN games on Monday and Wednesday nights.

The deal combines rights for TV, radio, digital and international that had been separate. The new single contract adds new rights to air a wild-card game, along with additional rights to highlights and digital content. It also gives the network more flexibility to show games involving popular teams.

The previous contracts were worth close to $360 million a year combined. A person with knowledge of the new combined deal says it will be worth about $700 million a year over eight years. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the financial figures were not released.

Hurd back to jail DALLAS — A federal judge ordered former NFL wide receiver Sam Hurd to be jailed indefinitely for failing two drug tests and allegedly buying drugs while already facing charges he tried to distribute marijuana and cocaine.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeff Kaplan indicated that he was less troubled by the drug tests than the allegations that Hurd had tried to buy drugs while he was out on bond. He revoked Hurd’s $100,000 bond.

Compiled from the Associated Press by J. Almendarez

September 4, 2012

SPORTS

11

ALUMNI: Seawolves victorious against UAA grads Continued From Cover

the opportunity to touch the ball.

Libero and defensive specialist Jordan Bush, who played with Moss and former outside hitter Jackie Matthisen last year, said, “It’s funny to see them on the other side of the net,” but likened it to practicing with them. She said Matthisen still helps the team practice and assists in training.

All five sets were played during the game, and the Seawolves came out on top 4-1.

Katelynn Zanders, outside hitter and middle blocker, and outside hitter Julia Mackey led the team with 15 kills each.

Setter Kimya Jafroudi led the team in hitting percentage with three kills, one error and five total attempts for a percentage of .400.

Breanne Sytnyk, middle blocker or right side hitter, was a close second with a .33 hit PHOTOS BY J. ALMENDAREZ percentage derived from four Lady Seawolves congratulate each other after a kill during the first set at the first scrimmage of the season Aug. 25. kills, one error and nine total to win the rest of the sets, though attempts. with a final score of 25-23 and The Lady Seawolves won the 25-18. first set 25-19. The second set was The next tournament is this longer with a weekend in the score of 33-31.

Springhill Suites The Seawolf Invitational Alumni team located at the won the third set Wells Fargo 25-23.

Sports Complex.

Matthisen The first game -McKenzie Moss is at 1 p.m. led the scoring throughout the Sept. 7 against game with 13 kills, followed Dixie State. closely by Moss with 12 and Calli Scott with 10.

For more information about the Jordan Bush, defensive specialist and libero, dives for the ball at Saturday’s scrimmage against Seawolf Alumni during the first set. The Lady Seawolves won the game with a The Lady Seawolves went on team, visit http://bit.ly/ODKnGz/.

“It’s kind of something you look forward to doing as a player.”

final score of 25-19, 33-31, 23-25, 25-23 and 25-18.

NFL referees: players, fans deserve more 50

55

60

4

5

5

overtime 10

By J. Almendarez Managing Editor

Big corporations are at it again.

The National Football League decided Aug. 29 that it plans to use replacement referees for the opening games of the season this year as opposed to going back to the table with the NFL Referees Association.

According to The New York Times, the association and the league have been at odds since June and have not met since July 27.

The referees want better pay and pensions. The NFL wants to hire only some of them full-time and make the pool of referees bigger, so they can select “the best of the best” to officiate games.

The announcement came just seven days before the first game, and The NFL Referees Association released a statement saying they feel the move is on par with the multi-billion dollar corporation’s “take it or leave it policy.” They said, “If the NFL is serious about negotiating, we are ready, but we can’t negotiate with ourselves.”

The entire situation is a shame to the game.

While most refs are not megastars, they are as important to the season as the players.

When a whistle blows, audience members quiet down, and an eruption of cheers or boos follows the official calls on the field. They are essentially the gods of football, telling players and audience members what is and is not acceptable behavior.

And, most importantly, they’re on the field to keep players safe.

DeMaurice Smith, executive director of the National Football League Players Association, said in an interview with Sports Illustrated, “The NFL has chosen to prevent the very officials that they have trained, championed and cultivated for decades to be on the field to protect players and — by their own admission — further our goal of enhanced safety. That is absurd on its face.”

While sitting at home and cheering for the Dallas Cowboys or shouting for the defeat of the Houston Texans, audiences don’t actually want to see athletes get seriously injured.

That fact is undeniable. It is also undeniable that experience tends to yield quality. The NFL — again, undeniably — can and should place player safety and referee working rights above their disgraceful bargaining antics.

OPINION

12

Not alone in the roommate hunt

Unaffordable housing may be more evident to newcomers, but is a reality experienced by many, students especially

By J. Almendarez Managing Editor

My last apartment in San Antonio was not an apartment at all. It was a one-bedroom cottage.

There was a kitchen, dining room, living room, bedroom with two closets, vintage hardwood floors, arched doorways, a front porch where I decoratively placed flower pots, a small yard for my dear dog to play in and was in a gated community of other little cottages.

It was located less than a mile from the college I attended, about a mile from downtown and about a quarter of a mile away from where the local art and music scene was exploding with young people and fresh ideas. The laundromat was down the street, directly next to a corner store, and there was a local grocery store a few blocks over.

My rent was $650 a month.

And it was all mine.

Coming to Anchorage was like suddenly becoming dirt poor.

Rent for efficiencies can be as much as $900 a month, and it seems like every young person I meet has at least one roommate.

I had to resort to Craigslist to find a roommate, and frankly, I lucked out in finding an awesome girl to move in with — two awesome girls, actually. So it’s just us three awesome girls ... living in a two bedroom apartment ... with one bathroom.

Have you ever been to the Craigslist “roommate wanted” section? It’s kind of creepy.

There are men who only want to rent to women. Men who are willing to forego charging rent for “favors.” Women who only rent to men who will do maintenance work in return for a negotiable price. That doesn’t even cover the tip of the iceberg of weirdness.

There are people who just want someone they can be friends with because they don’t have any.

There are people who don’t want to be your friend at all because they are all about business. And

According to the 2012 Housing Market Analysis for Anchorage, there is a 1.9 percent vacancy rate for two bedroom apartments and the average two bedroom is $1,200. there are foreboding warnings about which ads you should and

shouldn’t answer.

It was not warmest welcome I wanted form Anchorage and was probably even more unwelcome because I know people are desperate enough to take those offers.

I’ve never, though, seen rent prices so high!

According to the 2012 Housing Market Analysis for Anchorage, there is a 1.9 percent vacancy rate for two-bedroom apartments and the average two bedroom is $1,200. That amounts to about 50 percent of take home income for a two-income family working for minimum wage.

That is ridiculous.

How can anyone hope to invest in a future or pull themselves out of a working class position when almost half of the money they make goes to pay just their rent?

It’s election year.

So while I hear young people piss and moan about how the vote in Alaska doesn’t count, how about doing something productive?

Not to take the star spangled mush out of the idea of democracy, but Alaska has so few electoral votes that the votes probably don’t have as big of an effect on national politics as residents might hope.

But that doesn’t mean we should be complacent, grab our ankles and take whatever politicians dole out to us.

We should demand that somebody, somewhere, at least address the issue of unaffordable housing in this city because living in a small apartment with two roommates where someone has to crash on the couch isn’t exactly the American Dream.

Shawna Sweeney contributed the statistics for this opinion piece.

TNL

September 4, 2012

OPINION

13

EDITORIAL

‘Not enough money’ is a poor excuse for tuition hikes

By TNL Staff The tuition increase proposed for the University of Alaska system is unwarranted. While most people can understand and appreciate the fact that the proposed 2 percent increase is the lowest in ten years, what can’t be understood is why the increase is necessary.

Pat Gamble, University of Alaska President, is correct in saying that the increases in tuition

still put Alaska in the running for some of the most affordable tuition in the western region. But it pretty much has to be in order to exist.

An online search revealed that the University of Alaska system, a public institution, and Alaska Pacific University, a private institution, are the only two universities in the state.

The western region Gamble is referring to encompasses big,

historically expensive universities such as the University of Southern California, charging about $21,081 per semester for a full-time undergraduate student, and Boise State University in Idaho, charging almost $10,000 a semester for a full-time undergraduate student.

Of course these larger campuses have more expensive tuition than UAA! Also, a national hot topic right now is public education funding.

Most states being forced to raise tuition are battling budget cuts caused by severely decreased state funding.

The UA system is lucky. For the past ten years, the state has annually increased the amount of money it gives to the system.

Yet, tuition still rises.

Surely there must be a way to cut expenditures another way and leave tuition alone for at least one year.

University officials found a way to fund a new sports complex center at UAA (costing $109,000,00) and keep their salaries fat (Gamble has a baseline salary of $295,000 per year and Chancellor Thomas Case has a baseline salary of $225,000) but not a way to prevent tuition from increasing?

It seems like the opportunity to keep tuition from increasing is available, just not acted upon.

14

September 4, 2012

COMICS

COMICS

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

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HOROSCOPE

The coming week is likely to require a great many individuals to catch up in some way. It’s a good week for thinking about the meaning of things; those who already have a tendency to wax philosophically about life’s goings-on will enjoy the opportunity to voice their own opinions and learn from the views of others. Some may discover the joy of thinking about things in a more theoretical, metaphysical way. Meaning itself, this week, can be tied directly to one’s inner workings -- how he or she feels.

This is not to suggest, however, that thought is enough and action is not called for; on the contrary, there is likely to be very much to do -- but even in tending to duties on a daily basis one will find the opportunity to delve, to dig, to grapple and to comprehend more than ever before. LIBRA (Sept.

23-Oct. 7) -- You may have to play a role that is entirely new to you -- but you’re improvisational skills will surely kick in! (Oct. 8-Oct. 22) -- Someone you’ve had your eye on from a distance is likely to do things that affect you directly this week.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 7) -- The significance of certain endeavors may be lost on you for a while, but later you’ll come to realize what you’re missing. (Nov. 8-Nov. 21) -- There’s no need to quibble with someone whose views are different from your own. There’s room for both opinions.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 7) -- You don’t want to hole up and subject yourself to an enforced solitude that is no good for you right now. Get out and about! (Dec. 8-Dec. 21) -- Your willingness to jump into a situation with abandon may be dangerous -- but can serve you well this week. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 6) -- You feel the need to voice your opinion more freely, and fortunately you will discover the perfect forum to do so. (Jan. 7-Jan. 19) -- You can tell many stories this week that will inspire those around you; another has a few that will inspire you!

AQUARIUS

CRYPTOQUOTE (Jan. 20-Feb. 3) -- You will want to make any and all requests in the most straightforward -- and yet courteous -- manner possible.

(Feb. 4-Feb. 18) -- Time spent with friends and family members will be more productive and profitable than you could possibly imagine.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 5) -- Your imagination will surely serve you well as you are asked to create something entirely new out of whole cloth. (March 6-March 20) -- A frank discussion with a peer has you coming to terms with things that recently have been incomprehensible to you. ARIES (March 21-April 4) -- Things are likely to heat up very quickly, but cool down much more slowly. Be aware of the dangers that arise as a result. (April 5-April 19) -- What happens out of sight and out of earshot will be more significant to you than you had thought. Get the news! TAURUS (April 20-May 5) -- Now is the time for you to take a stand and support those who cannot adequately help themselves to what is rightfully theirs. (May 6-May 20) -- You have more ahead of you than you know, and your preparations are going to have to be multilayered.

GEMINI (May 21-June 6) -- No matter what another may say to you early in the week, you can retain your natural confidence and forge ahead undaunted. (June 7-June 20) -- Environmental influences will have an effect on you throughout the week -- and it is likely to be unexpected.

CANCER (June 21-July 7) -- A close look at the details leads you to believe that things are not quite what you have believed them to be. (July 8-July 22) -- Someone who was a central figure in your life long ago is likely to resurface -- and it’ll seem like no time has passed at all! LEO (July 23-Aug. 7) -- Ideas that are realistic and practical can be of use to everyone, not just you. Others have little use for your more lofty dreams. (Aug. 8-Aug. 22) -- You mustn’t take offense when someone offers his or her opinion of your work; not everyone can see what you’re really doing.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 7) -- The most important things are likely to happen behind closed doors this week -- especially those that have never happened before!

(Sept. 8-Sept. 22) -- You’re not the kind to turn a blind eye to that which you know you can change for the better. Do so!

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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 5,000. The University of Alaska Anchorage provides equal education and employment opportunities for all, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, Vietnamera 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.­­­