August 2nd, 2022

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Trump holds rally at UAA, draws thousands of supporters and criticism

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NEWS

THENORTHERNLIGHT.ORG TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2022

02

Trump holds rally at UAA, draws thousands of supporters and criticism

By Matthew Schmitz news2@thenorthernlight.org

Over the past few years, one feature of American politics has been absent from Alaska: the Trump rally.

That changed on July 9 when the Save America political action committee hosted a political rally in Anchorage to support Kelly Tshibaka for US Senate and former Governor Sarah Palin for US House of Representatives.

Central to the event was an in-person speech by the former president himself, Donald J. Trump.

The rally was held at UAA’s Alaska Airlines Center, and thousands came from all over the state to see Trump speak.

The event also drew criticism from the UAA community.

Outside the Alaska Airlines Center, with people wearing the iconic red MAGA hats and decked out in other Trump swag, the rally felt more like a sporting event than a political fundraiser. Food trucks, parents with young children in tow, music playing on loudspeakers and vendors selling Trump merchandise helped to complete the impression that this was a social gathering.

In front of the Alaska Airlines Centers, supporters were lined up in a snaking queue like a line at Disneyland.

The line went down Wellness Street – between the stadium and Providence Hospital – before turning right onto Providence Drive and heading toward the mountains. It took another right at Elmore, continuing to the roundabout.

According to an event program put out by Save America, attendees could skip the line and get an expedited entry by donating $250.

One person waiting in line reflected on the social nature of the occasion.

He said that he was there to support the candidates but would have probably attended even if he didn’t because the rally was a good chance to meet new people and see different personality types.

Another attendee said that he wanted to personally see the candidates and hear their speeches. He said that Trump would be interesting to see too.

A lady said you “never get another chance to do this. Why not?”

Flags that read “Trump 2024” were flying over the tents of the various merchandisers, and people could pose with a life-size cardboard-cutout image of Trump.

PHOTO BY MATTHEW SCHMITZ

Trumps speech lasted for around 90 minutes.

Nearby were around a dozen people protesting the event, standing on the sidewalk that runs along the parking lot for UAA MAC student housing on Health Drive.

One young woman with the protesters, Kathrine Antoune, is a junior studying economics at UAA and lives in the dorms.

After waking up, she went to check out the rally.

Upon seeing food trucks, she decided to get something to eat. Afterward, Antoune said she joined in with the people protesting, wanting to show solidarity with them.

She said a big issue for her is the recent Supreme Court ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade and that she would have liked to have a sign that read “adoption is not the silver bullet you think it is.”

Regarding Trump, she said: “he can’t accept reality, he has to create his own, and then so many people are falling for it,” adding “What are they going to do when he is not here anymore? Are they just going to keep trying and parroting the old stuff he says?”

She said that it was frustrating to see how people overlook his sycophantic behavior to promote himself and his business.

Also protesting were UAA Professors Jackie Cason and Shane Castle of the writing department.

Cason was holding a sign that read “unforgivable.”

A woman attending the rally came over and asked Cason what the sign was supposed to mean. She said that it was in refer-

ence to Trump’s actions on Jan. 6, especially his rhetoric and knowledge that some attending the rally in DC were armed with weapons – likening his statements to yelling fire in a theater.

In a follow-up email, Cason shared a letter sent to UAA faculty written and signed by the UAA’s faculty senate executive board.

Sent on July 7, the letter expressed both opposition to letting Trump and Save America use the Alaska Airlines Center for their political rally and the commitment of the board to “the rule of law, democratic process, and the peaceful transfer of power.”

The letter responds, in part, to an email sent July 1 by UAA Chancellor Sean Parnell explaining the university’s decision to let the Save America PAC use the Alaska Airlines Center.

Considering that the Alaska Airlines Center is a public facility, Parnell wrote that it would be a violation of the First Amendment to deny its use to the Save America PAC. Responding to him, the faculty senate board wrote, “to justify this event at UAA under the guise of free speech disingenuously cedes a platform to figures who’ve routinely expressed through their deeds, words, and policies an open hostility to the very values that define this university and undermine much of what we celebrate in this the most pluralistic, multiracial democracy the world has ever known.”

Marin Green, a UAA alumna who graduated

in 2012 at the age of 62, tried to hold a protest the day before the event. Told

by UPD that she could not protest at the Alaska Airlines Center, she showed up at the Cuddy Quad with her homemade signs on the 8th.

Green, who was raised on St. Lawrence Island speaking Sivuqaq Yupik, said Trump has not been good for native Americans, citing a case where his administration revoked a Massachusetts tribe’s reservation status.

Concerning to her, she said, were his comments on Mexicans – calling them “rapists” – and a speech he made following violence at a white-nationalism rally in Charlottesville – where he said there were good people on both sides.

She said she’d been taken aback by the cruelty of Trump’s attacks on his opponents and the willingness of his supporters to tolerate his behavior.

“In [the] native community we are taught from young age to be respectful … that’s against indigenous teaching,” she said.

“He doesn’t think he does any wrong, that he’s God or something.”

Indeed, there seemed to be no sign of compunction in the supporters gathered at the rally, and to bring up the concerns voiced by the protesters felt like a rude affront to their high spirits, as though spoiling a good time.

A little after 11 a.m. they opened the doors to the Alaska Airlines Center and started to bring the people inside.

Palin and Tshibaka were among the various guests to give speeches.

Attending the event were Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson and Anchorage Assembly Member Jamie Allard.

By the time Trump made his appearance around 4:30 p.m., the 5,000-seat stadium was nearly full, and people were still coming in.

The audience exploded into cheers when he appeared, and as he made his way to the stage the crowd broke out into a chant: “We love Trump! We love Trump!”

Trump started his talk by taking a shot at Sen. Lisa Murkowski, calling her a “RINO” – Republican in name only – and explaining that his visit was to make good on a promise to campaign against her.

He took credit for recent Supreme Court decisions, having nominated three justices during his presidency.

He also said that he was responsible for eliminating ISIS 100% and recalled a story of Air Force One landing during the night in Iraq with all the plane’s internal lights turned off. He said he was asked by someone, “Sir, will you please close your shades?” And he jokingly said that he responded, “I’m president, you should close them.”

Several comments prompted cheers from the audience such as when he said that he supports “God, guns and oil,” mentioned Wisconsin’s ban on ballot drop boxes, talked about banning critical race theory from schools and keeping transgender men out of women’s sports.

He complimented the police officers helping with security and the au-

dience, calling them “the most beautiful human beings.”

The 90-minute speech had what seemed like several false endings. Trump would shift back and forth from his informal, offthe-cuff comments to prepared remarks from the teleprompters. The change to a formal tone and style often made it seem as if the former president was wrapping things up, but he would continue to talk, like someone who says, “Well, I should get going” and then proceeds to stick around.

There were a handful of attacks made on the media by both him and Palin, with Trump saying the fake news is “the true enemy of the people.”

These comments would prompt boos and thumbs down from the audience directed toward the press.

Trump said he had done more for Alaska than any other president and took credit for getting ANWR open to drilling approved during his administration.

After officially receiving his endorsement, Palin said, “Sir, we need you back,” and then led the audience in chanting “Four more years!”

A few times, the audience broke out chanting “USA! USA!” Trump continued to say that he won the 2020 election, despite testimony presented by the January 6th committee in the US House that he was told by multiple top people in his campaign that he had lost the election.

At one point he urged his supporters to get involved with elections saying, “you have to make sure that you watch the voting and the ballot counting.”

“It’s proven, unfortunately, that the vote counter is far more important than the candidate, does that make sense to you?”

The saying is widely attributed to Joseph Stalin and Trump seemed to understand that he was paraphrasing the dictator: “That’s an old expression used by a very powerful man. I won’t even give you his name because we don’t need that name thrown out. They’ll say, ‘Trump admires him.’ No, I don’t admire him, but he said the vote counter is far more important than the candidate.”

NEWS

03

USUAA gets update on campus-shuttle program, discusses response to July 9 Trump rally

By Matthew Schmitz be at certain stops at certain times, meaning they news2@thenorthernlight.org would have to wait at a loUSUAA held a meet- cation if they were getting ing on July 20 in the Lyla ahead of schedule.

Weaver said that in a Richards conference room survey conducted in Januin the Student Union. ary 2020, a large number President Katie Scoggin and Liaison Brian Cue- of students reported that vas Fuentes were the only the shuttle was important members present in per- to their academic success.

He also thanked USUAA son.

Delegate Matt Green, for passing a resolution in who was zooming in, ran the spring recommending the reinstatement of the the meeting.

Giving an update on the shuttle program, saying return of shuttle services that it was helpful in sein the fall were Executive curing funds for the new Director of Campus Ser- program.

Also discussed at the vices David Weaver and meeting were some upDirector of General Support Services Kim Stan- coming events for the end of July: UAA at the Movford.

Weaver said that they ies offering discounted were making good prog- tickets to “Nope” on July ress in getting the service 22, USUAA Adopt-aRoad clean up on July 27, ready for Fall of 2022.

Standford said that they and Multicultural Servichad two small passenger es and Student Activities vehicles on order – fit- hosting Mochi and Muting 11 people, or 9 and a subi Mingle on July 28.

Also, Scoggin said wheelchair – and that they that USUAA had a meetshould be here sometime ing with the new Seawolf in August.

She said the tentative head coach, Matt Shasby, route would make a loop and the Seawolf Hockey from the Gorsuch Com- Alliance.

Scoggin said that Shasmons to the Engineering by wants to see the team and Industrial building – more active on campus or Student Union – onto the Consortium Library, and engaging with student Fine Arts Building, Ad- organizations and that he ministrative Building, and was looking for feedback from USUAA on how to back to the commons.

Part of their purpose get students more engaged at the meeting, they said, with Seawolves’ hockey.

Also discussed at the was to get some feedback on the route stops – such meeting was what, if any, as if it would be better to response should come stop at the EIB or Stu- from USUAA to the redent Union – and discuss cent political rally held at the schedule of the route. the Alaska Airlines Center They wanted to know if on July 9 by former Presiit would be better to have dent Donald Trump’s Save the shuttles driving con- America political action tinuously or attempt to committee.

SCREENSHOT FROM ARCHIVED STREAM ON USUAA FACEBOOK PAGE

David Weaver gives an update about the new shuttle program to USUAA.

Scoggin said that they had heard from students upset that the event was taking place. Recognizing that it would be unfair to take action against one party, the assembly discussed a blanket wide ban on all political activity on campus.

The pros and cons of such a move were considered, with the opportunity to educate students about the political process and possibility that such an event could encourage other political groups to use campus services being listed among the pros.

The difficulty of how exactly to thread the needle on this polarizing topic was not lost on the assembly.

Also brought up was the importance of making clear that UAA is not hosting such events and that concern for the impacts

Gov. Dunlevy signs bill to protect the Higher Education Investment Fund

for school saw the scholBy Matthew Schmitz arships’ stability put into news2@thenorthernlight.org question when a 2019 rule Uncertainty about a change by the Dunleavy fund providing scholar- administration made the ships for Alaskan students fund’s existence subject to has come to an end after a yearly vote by the legisGovernor Mike Dunleavy lature.

In 2021 the fund was signed legislation to prodrained of money and tect it.

The Higher Education students sued Dunlevy in Investment Fund, cre- January 2022 over the rule ated by the state in 2012, change, as reported by was capitalized with over Alaska News Source.

Ultimately, their cases $300 million to pay for the Alaska Performance to reestablish the fund in Scholarship, the Alaska court failed.

During this year’s legEducation Grant, and the WWAMI medical pro- islative session, there were several bills in the house gram.

Reported on by The and senate to protect and Northern Light earlier this recapitalize the account.

According to a letter year, students who use from University of Alasthe scholarships to pay ka President Pat Pitney,

Dunleavy signed into law HB322, which protects the HEIF from being subject to a yearly vote. The budget passed this year also includes money to recapitalize the account with $342 million.

Pitney wrote of the legislation, “It will provide secure and stable funding for the Alaska Performance Scholarship, Alaska Education Grants and the WWAMI students for years to come.”

to students and residents should be central to any legislation produced.

Scoggin, who is a resident on campus, shared her own experience of

the rally, saying there was loud music that started early in the morning and a lot of traffic.

Fuentes, also a resident, said that it was very

crowded that day and the rally consisted mostly of people they didn’t know.

SCREENSHOT FROM ARCHIVED STREAM ON USUAA FACEBOOK PAGE

Kim Stanford shows a picture of the type of shuttle purchased for the new program starting this fall. Shuttles will get a UAA themed graphic wrap.

FEATURES

THENORTHERNLIGHT.ORG TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2022

04

Seawolves start the semester running with a busy August and September

By Matthew Schmitz news2@thenorthernlight.org

UAA There are some important upcoming events on campus this August and September. The Union of Students of the University of Alaska Anchorage will have their last summer meeting in the Lyla Richards conference room on Aug. 17 at 4 p.m. The annual Campus Kickoff, celebrating the start of the school year, is on Aug. 27 in the Cuddy Quad. UAA Career Services will host a student employment fair for on campus jobs Sep. 7 from 12-2 p.m. for anyone interested in student employment opportunities.

Seawolves’ Volleyball Seawolves’ Volleyball will dominate August and September. The season starts with the Seawolf Alumni Game. The current team will square off with past UAA volleyball players, including several past all-Americans. The big event is the Seawolf Invitational from Aug. 25-27. UAA will host 6 different teams facing off each other at the Alaska Airlines Center over three days. UAA students can get into games for free with their wolf card and bring two guests at a discounted rate of $5 each.

Other Seawolf volleyball matches at the Alaska

PHOTO BY MATTHEW SCHMITZ

Airlines Center: Sep. 8 Seawolves vs Saint Martin’s, Sep. 10 Seawolves vs Western Oregon, Sep. 22 Seawolves vs Western Washington, and Sep. 24 Seawolves vs Fraser.

Seawolves’ Cross Country Seawolves’ Cross

Country will be hosting the Seawolf Throwdown meet at Kincaid Park on Sep. 3 against UAF. Seawolves’ Hockey Seawolf Hockey is back, playing in the Seawolf Sports Complex starting at the end of September. On the 23rd, the

PHOTO COURTESY SEAWOLVES’ VOLLEYBALL TWITTER

The Women’s Seawolves Volleyball team will play several games in August and September.

August has many opportunities to see shows in UAA’s planetarium. Students get a discounted rate.

Seawolves will match up against Simon Fraiser for their first game of the season. On Sep. 24, the team will divide into two and play against themselves at the Green and Gold Game.

Afterwards, there will be activities and an opportunity to skate with the Seawolves. UAA students can get into games for free with their wolf card and bring two guests at a discounted rate of $5 each.

State Fair Being a UAA student has some perks, such as being able to get half-off tickets to musical performances at this year’s State Fair by the Blue Oyster Cult on Aug. 21 and the Barenaked Ladies on Sep. 4. Get tickets at UAAtix. com UAA Planetarium and Visualization Theater

Did you know that UAA has the biggest planetarium in Alaska located in the ConocoPhillips Integrated Science Building? If you’re interested in an experience that’s like VR without the goggles, there are six upcoming shows in August. “Habitat Earth” plays at 6:30 p.m. on the 12th followed by “Natural Selection” at 8 p.m. On the 19th there will be “Stars of the Alaskan Sky” at 6:30 p.m. followed up by “Black Holes” at 8 p.m. And on the 26th, at 6:30 p.m. is “A Place Like No Other,” with “Coloring the Universe” after that at 8 p.m. Shows are hosted by real UAA astronomers!

Get tickets at UAAtix.com Hugh McPeck Art Gallery The 37th Annual No Big Heads Exhibition in the Hugh McPeck gal-

lery running from Oct. 6 through Nov. 3.

Fine Arts Building Some outside organizations will be putting on performances in the Fine Arts Building this September.

If you’re a fan of classical music, the Sitka Music Festival Autumn Classics, running Sep. 16-18, will be something to look forward to. Located in Recital Hall, tickets will be available through CenterTix, with students being able to get a discounted rate.

From Sep. 9-25, Ghost Light Production will be performing “The Play That Goes Wrong” in the Mainstage Theater.

A comedy about – you guessed it – a play that goes horribly wrong.

FEATURES

05

Advice from a college dropout

By Matthew Schmitz news2@thenorthernlight.org

I graduated from high school in 2009. Coming straight out of school, I went to UAA to study engineering.

I didn’t really think about choosing this degree. I was good at math and science, and a career in this field seemed expected of students such as myself. I just nodded my head and went with the flow.

During my second year of college, I began to ask: “Do I really like engineering? Is this something I want to do for the rest of my life?”

The answer: “No.” I remember a distinct moment when my boss at the time, offering me some advice, said, “These are decisions only you can make.” For whatever reason that idea, these were my decisions, struck me.

So I dropped out… the first time.

My second foray into college was several years later. I had high ambitions to get a degree in philosophy and teach the subject.

The problem I ran into was my own limitations.

Despite my interest, I could tell that I lacked both the disinterested temperament and intellectual rigor to be a college professor, and I dropped out after only one semester.

So, here we go again, attempt number three.

This time I’m going for a degree in journalism and public communication.

Luckily, I’ve gotten an opportunity to try out the job working for The Northern Light and I think I’ve found my place.

Having made two runs at school before, I’ve learned some helpful things from my previous college experiences that I’m applying this time around. I’ve also learned some things working in the “real world” that apply equally well to college.

Use a Planner In high school, I was the student who tossed out the free planner they gave us each year. It wasn’t until I got a job where I had to schedule appointments with clients that I came to understand the power – especially psychological power – of a planner.

When you write something down – be it a list, law, or appointment – something magical happens. It takes on a special significance. It becomes something you plan around, look forward to and make time for. It goes from being a fuzzy notion in your mind to something concrete and real.

The best part is that this magic works on other people as well.

When your friends are trying to drag you out when you ought to be studying, saying, “I need to be studying,” sounds like a weak excuse.

On the other hand, if you say, “I’m scheduled from 4 – 6 p.m. to do readings for political science,” that sounds more like an unquestionable law written in stone.

Of course, it’s not. And chances are you won’t follow it 100% every day, so don’t worry about it stifling your free spirit.

Be careful, smartypants My first go around, I tested into higher-level college classes: calculus II and physics. To my surprise, I struggled in them.

How does someone who got a five on the AP Calculus Test get a D in calculus II, twice?

Or barely scrape out a C in a physics lab?

There are two reasons.

The first had to do with my study skills, or rather, lack thereof. In high school, my grades were always good enough that I didn’t need to develop good study habits.

This doesn’t fly in college.

Second is the fact that I never really had to ask for help in high school.

I can still remember in my physics lab, where the other students seemed to magically understand how to format the paper and use the equipment without the professor explaining it.

It wasn’t until years later that I realized the class had prerequisites where these basics were covered.

Prerequisites I had gotten to skip.

This leads me to my next point.

Communication, communication, communication Are you running late to

PHOTO BY MATTHEW SCHMITZ

The eponymous college dropout

class? Email your professor.

Not clear about your assignment? Email your professor.

Falling behind in your physics lab because everyone else seems to know what to do, and you don’t?

You guessed it: Email your professor.

In the “real world,” communication is vital. If you had any of these problems with your employer and you didn’t try to reach out to them, chances are you won’t be working for them much longer.

It’s an important life skill, and you might as well start practicing it now.

Keep up with the syllabus, even if your professor doesn’t

I’ve been bitten by this and seen it get countless others.

When you start your class, your professor will give you a syllabus for the course. Think of it as the “schedule.” It will list what to expect each week and what readings should be done when.

Ideally, you would show up to class having done the readings, taken some notes and come up with questions. The professor would expand on the readings and explain some of the more complicated parts, followed up with in-class discussion.

That’s the ideal, at least.

It’s entirely possible you’ll get a professor who never mentions the mate-

rial in the book.

You show up to class prepared, and they go off on some tangent. In the next class the same thing happens, and the one after that.

“Sweet,” you think. “I don’t need to bother reading the book or doing the practice assignments listed. We never talk about it in class anyways.”

And then it happens: You show up for your midterm exam and every question is pulled from the book.

Don’t let this happen to you.

Also, don’t forget the flipside. What your professor talks about in class is important, especially if they repeat it or say, “this is important.”

Participation Social media’s success can largely be attributed to participation: Smash that like button, subscribe, comment below, etc.

Effectively, all those actions are getting you to buy in and make you come back.

Who can resist the temptation to see how people reacted to your comment? Who doesn’t feel a sense of ownership and community when liking or sharing a post?

But what you engage with is entirely within your control, and you can game it to work to your favor.

Ask questions in class, attend sports games, join a club.

The more you participate in school, the more the same forces that cause you to spend hours on TikTok will cause you to focus on your education.

And if you’re one of those aloof people – the kind, borrowing a line from David Brooks, who would rather watch others do the wave at a sporting event than join in – have you ever thought about a job on the student-run newspaper?

A war of attrition, with allies Ultimately, college is a war of attrition; it’s about having more good days than bad ones.

If you miss a class, sleep in or even fail an exam, don’t get discouraged. Tomorrow is another opportunity to try again.

For those who are committed, there are plenty of resources to help you succeed.

And for those who are unsure of what they should be doing, not everyone has to boldly strike out on their own as I did – though that may be exactly what some need.

It’s important to know there are many people on campus who are more than happy to help you discover who you are and what you should be doing.

All you need to do is ask.

06

FEATURES

Who’s in charge around here?

By Matthew Schmitz the university system to the legislature and renews2@thenorthernlight.org ceives feedback regarding If you haven’t noticed the state’s priorities and already, the University of what’s needed to produce Alaska Anchorage is a big a budget that will pass a organization with a bewil- vote. dering list of titles, posiThe organization also tions and departments: sets up the student trip to Dean, chair, chancellor, Juneau each year where director, professor, ad- students from all three junct, associate professor, universities travel to the etc. capitol speak with legislaTo help clear things up, tors and advocate for the here’s an overview of the universities. organizational structure of Technically, UA is the UAA. employer of anyone workJohn Nofsinger, dean ing at UAA. Also, they of the College of Business are in a contentious neand Public Policy, also gotiation with the faculty answered some questions union, United Academics, in an interview with The as reported by The NorthNorthern Light to shed ern Light earlier this sumsome light on the organi- mer. zation.

University of Alaska University of Alaska Anchorage It makes sense to start The University of Alasat the top, and you can’t go ka Anchorage is its own much higher than the Uni- fully accredited univerversity of Alaska. sity.

Commonly referred The top leadership poto as UA or Statewide, sition is called the chanyou’ve already interacted cellor and is currently with this umbrella organi- filled by former Alaska zation if you have signed Governor Sean Parnell. up for classes or done any- Parnell was selected after thing through UAOnline. a search of candidates by UA oversees the three UA President Pitney. publicly funded universiUnder Parnell, the leadties in Alaska: University ership of the university of Alaska Fairbanks, Uni- splits into two broad catversity of Alaska South- egories: teaching and adeast and University of ministration.

Alaska Anchorage.

Overseeing adminisIt can be easy to mix up trative departments such the abbreviations for UA as student affairs, adminand UAA. istrative services, univerThe leadership consists sity advancement, and reof a 9-member board of re- search are the vice changents selected by the gov- cellors. ernor. The board picks a Below them, the unipresident for the organiza- versity organization tion. Recently, Pat Pitney branches into many differwas selected after serving ent departments. Some of as interim president. these departments, such “Interim” is a prefix as Athletics, have a large meaning temporary and staff with dozens of peois applied when someone ple, others only a handful. is filling a position while One common term to a search for a permanent describe the leaders over replacement is underway these various departments though it’s common to see is “director” although you individuals move from in- can find the occasional asterim to permanent, as in sociate vice chancellor, the case of President Pit- coordinator and chief ofney. ficer.

What exactly does UA “Director” is also the do? You can get an idea term used to describe by looking at the various the leaders who oversee departments under the UAA’s satellite campuses president: general legal such as Kodiak College. counsel, human resources, On the teaching side planning and budget, IT, of things, Provost Denise students and research.

Runge is responsible for These functions are the various colleges at things that have been cen- UAA – College of Arts tralized under UA, said and Science, College of Nofsinger.

Business and Public PoliHe also said that the cy, etc. – and academic aforganization is respon- fairs. sible for putting together The term “provost” the budgets for the various generally refers to someuniversities and present- one whose job is to proing it to the state legisla- vide leadership over multure as one piece of legis- tiple colleges, though lation.

Runge’s full title includes The annual budget to vice chancellor as well. run all three universities Under Provost Runge is nearly $1 billion, and are the deans of the difthe state pays for roughly ferent colleges and under a third of that amount. The them are the chairs for rest comes from student specific departments in fees, grants and federal the colleges. funding.

When it comes to dealProviding a single ing with issues in class, front, UA advocates for Nofsinger said ideally stu-

dents would work their way up from teacher to department chair, and finally to vice deans. For larger, systemic problems, students can go to the vice deans directly.

If a student doesn’t want to address a problem within the specific department, there is the Dean of Students office, headed by Benjamin Morton, that can also deal with problems.

On the flip side, the Dean of Students is the department that handles disciplinary action against students for issues raised by faculty and staff.

Faculty Signing up for classes or looking at different departments, you might have noticed there are a large number of titles for the faculty.

Nofsinger said that UAA has a few different types of faculty teaching at the campus.

First there are the professors. When just starting out they are called “assistant professors,” and can be promoted later to “associate professor.”

Finally, they can get tenure and be promoted to “professor.”

These teachers are often on a tenure track and represent the longterm core of the university. They also have more rights compared to the other teaching positions – tenured professors have the most – said Nofsinger.

Next up are the “term professors.”

Nofsinger said that these faculty members have to be rehired each year, and have less rights and benefits compared to full-time employees.

Finally, there are “adjuncts.” These are often professionals actually working in their respective field and they get hired to teach related classes.

It may be tempting to think that professors are superior to adjuncts, but Nofsinger said that adjuncts bring real-world experiences and knowledge to the classroom, and for that reason many students like taking classes from them.

USUAA The Union of Students of The University of Alaska Anchorage is UAA’s student government.

The assembly is made up of a president, vice president, 10 senators, two delegates from each college, and three liaisons.

Katie Scoggin is the current president. Vice President Shanone Tejada answered some questions about how the organization functions and what they do.

USUAA is one way students have an influence on university policy, said Tejada.

Although the assembly

can’t hire and fire people, or appropriate funds, they can pass legislation advocating for student interests.

That legislation can be important when the university needs to draft policy, show support for an initiative or get funding, said Tejada.

A good example of this was at a recent USUAA meeting when Executive Director of Campus Services David Weaver gave an update on the return of shuttle services to the campus – shut down because of covid – and thanked USUAA for their legislation that had called for a return to services, saying that it was helpful in securing funding.

Tejada said legislation is important because it creates a historical record of what students’ priorities are and what they are asking for.

Members of USUAA can also be good resources when trying to navigate problems on campus. Tejada said that he has gained an increased awareness of campus resources due to meetings and conversations he has had with campus leadership.

Finally, through presidential appointments, students can serve on various boards, committees and organizations around campus, giving students an opportunity to gain leadership experience and have a seat at the table when it comes to deciding campus policies.

PHOTO COURTESY UA

UA President Pat Pitney.

PHOTO COURTESY UAA

UAA Chancellor Sean Parnell.

PHOTO COURTESY USUAA

USUAA President Katie Scoggin.

& AE

THENORTHERNLIGHT.ORG TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2022

07

Starving college students have some tasty restaurants to try near campus

By Matthew Schmitz news2@thenorthernlight.org

Village Inn Location: 1130 E Northern Light Blvd Hours: 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. every day Price: $ Village Inn is a small Anchorage-based chain. It has 3 locations around town and serves a variety of comfort food. This sit-down restaurant has a laid-back atmosphere. Its all-day breakfast menu includes skillets, pancakes, and omelets. You’ll also find burgers, sandwiches, subs, and salads among other things. Pies are one of their specialties and you can order a whole one. When checking out, you take your bill to the front to pay.

Max Burger Location: 5430 E Northern Light Blvd Hours: Mon. – Fri. 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Sat. 1 – 9 p.m.

Price: $$ Winner of The Northern Light’s 2011 “Best Burger for the Hungry College Student,” this burger joint has seen some better days, with the lobby currently suffering from some structural building problems. Despite that, they still put out a mean burger. Ordering at the counter, you can sit wherever you like, though the leaky roof may dampen your experience a little. They’ve also expanded their menu to include some Hawaiian and Asian cuisine too.

Don Jose’s Mexican Restaurant Location: 2052 E Northern Light Blvd Summer hours: Mon. – Fri. 12 – 9 p.m. Sat. 3 – 9 p.m.

Winter hours: Mon. – Fri. 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sat. & Sun. 12 – 10 p.m.

Price: $$$ This is a sit-down, traditional Mexican restaurant that serves complimentary chips alongside your meal.

There is a large outdoor eating area, and they also have a full bar. Winter and summer hours vary so check before you go. There is another location in Homer too.

Serrano’s Mexican Grill Location: 2514 E Tudor Rd Hours: Mon. – Sat. 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sun. 12 – 9 p.m.

Price: $$ This is Serrano’s second location, on Tudor across from McDonald’s. The local chain is a modern update to the traditional Mexican restaurants, with artwork depicting pop Mexican cultural icons such as comedian Roberto Gómez Bolaños, aka “Chespirito.” Their lobby at this location is currently under construction to add a bar, though it should be open by the time school starts.

You’ll still find a full selection of traditional Mexican dishes, and they serve beer and wine margaritas. You order at the counter and seat yourself.

Bread and Brew Location: 1450 E Tudor Rd Hours: Mon. – Thu. 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Fri. & Sat. 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sun. 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Price: $$$ Bred and Brew specializes in sandwiches, pizzas and burgers. They also have some salads and offer beer, wine and cocktails. Their location on Tudor, next to Waldron Pond, has a small outdoor eating area, a bar and large flatscreen with sports playing. A little on the pricey side, they are well worth it. Hands down the best Reuben I’ve ever had. Also, they have some biodegradable straws made out of some plastic substitute – not paper – so they don’t melt down while you’re using them. You order at the counter and pick your own seat.

PHOTO COURTESY KENNEDY ALLEN

Spanakopita, a pastry stuffed with a feta, spinach and onion mixture, is one of Turkish Delight’s appetizers.

in leading directly into the exit for their drive through line. Aside from the very small “no-entry” sign, there’s not much to clue you in until you’re making the turn.

Ordering is also a little different at Sara’s. You fill out a paper menu with your selections. As the name of their sister location on Arctic implies – Sara’s Sandwiches – their main fare is sandwiches. You can build your own or select from house specialties. They also have salads and chili.

Ichiban Japanese Restaurant Location: 2488 E Tudor Rd Hours: Mon. – Fri. 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sat. 12 – 10 p.m.

Price: $$ Ichiban has a large selection of Japanese cuisine to choose from, not just Sushi. Their dining area is small, and they have a small bar section. They are in the strip mall on Tudor across from Walgreens.

Turkish Delight Location: 2210 E Northern Light Blvd Hours: Tue. – Sat. 4 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Price: $$$ Open in the evening for dinner, Turkish Delight is a top-notch take on eastern-Mediterranean food. There is a lot of overlap between what you’ll find in Turkish Delight and your typical Greek restaurant such as spanakopita, gyro and baklava. They also have some specialty teas and Turkish coffee. Their extensive appetizer menu can make deciding what to get a challenge. Located on Northern Light Boulevard across from Family Park Medical Center, they have a small and quiet dining area, and they also take reservations.

PHOTO BY MATTHEW SCHMITZ

Bread and Brew can be identified by the silhouette of a howling wolf on the front of the building.

Golden Gate Location: 3500 Northern Light Hours: Mon. – Fri. 11 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. Sat. 3:00 – 9:30 p.m.

Price: $$ Golden Gate, located on Tudor Road across from the Tozar Sled Dog Track, serves up some typical Chinese food such as Mongolian beef, chow mein, fried rice, and eggrolls just to name some dishes. They’re a sit-down restaurant and have a decent sized eating area. The proportions are generous too, so many meals can feed two.

Sara’s Too Location: 2709 Boniface Pkwy Hours: Mon. – Fri. 7 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Sat 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Price: $ A local favorite, Sara’s Too is on the corner of Boniface and Northern Lights across from Value Village. The parking lot is a little bit treacherous, with the first turn

PHOTO BY MATTHEW SCHMITZ

Golden Gate’s Thursday lunch special: Kung Pao Chicken and Sweet and Sour Chicken. Also came severed with soup.

08

A&E

Entertainment Headlines for August 2022 - A train, a cult and a Hulk in the courtroom

By Jake Dye editor@thenorthernlight.org

August is exceptionally slow for movie theaters this year, with only one major release.

Streaming fares a little better, Disney+’s biggest franchises are coming out with new entries this month, and Netflix brings a couple of films driven by big names. Also, in a startling turn of events, Game of Thrones and the Predator are back.

Film Headlines “Bullet Train” looks like an incredible popcorn flick. An action comedy, the film stars Brad Pitt as one of five assassins who all find themselves on the same train with the same mission. The rest of the cast is a who’s who of big names, including Sandra Bullock, Joey King, Brian Tyree-Henry, Hiroyuki Sanada, Bad Bunny and more. From a director of Deadpool 2 and John Wick, the trailer shows jokes that are funny and action that is stylish. I’m totally bought in to catch this film when it releases on Aug. 5.

Gaming Headlines Cult of the Lamb is a charming indie title where players control a cute little lamb who runs a cult. Half wholesome town management sim, in which players build up their cult, their villagers and their town; half isometric action game, in which players wield demonic power to vanquish their enemies.

Previews for the game have been overwhelmingly positive, and this may end up being one of the more talked about games of the year after its release on Aug. 11.

Rollerdrome is the latest title from Roll7, known for their skateboarding franchise OlliOlli. Taking that skateboarding DNA to a new arena, Rollerdrome is about a dystopian future where contenders fight to survive with only a pair of rollerskates and a pair of pistols. From the game’s announcement in June, my interest was immediately piqued. The art is cel-shaded, the action looks over the top and the player can do sick flips! The game releases on Aug. 16.

Saints Row is a reboot of the PS3/Xbox 360 era open world franchise that once cast players as the President of the United States who was also a superhero who fought aliens. This year’s reboot tones things down quite a bit but still tries to capture some of the wacky action vibes of its predecessor. Previews have been mostly positive, and those looking for a new openworld sandbox to play in will likely be very well fed when the game releas-

PHOTO COURTESY SONY

“Bullet Train” features a star-studded cast as a variety of assassins, all with history, all after the same briefcase, including rapper Bad Bunny.

PHOTO COURTESY MARVEL STUDIOS

The latest new hero introduced to the Marvel Cinematic Universe is She-Hulk, a big and green lawyer for superheroes and supervillains

es on Aug. 23.

Streaming Headlines Disney+ has a great month this year, with new series debuting from both Star Wars and Marvel, as well as the streaming debut of Pixar’s latest.

“Lightyear,” the sci-fi action film from the “Toy Story” universe that stars Chris Evans as the titular space ranger comes to the service on Aug. 3. The film received a fairly lukewarm financial reception during its theatrical run, but its a very fun adventure that takes on some surprisingly complex science to drive its plot.

“I Am Groot” is a series of five short films set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe starring the lovable tree voiced by Vin Diesel. The series will likely not feature any major plot developments relevant to the larger “Guardians of the Galaxy” series but will feature more of Baby Groot and also Rocket, with Bradley Cooper also returning to voice his long-time character.

All five episodes will be streaming on Aug. 10.

“She-Hulk” is the latest in a growing line of MCU series, following “Ms. Marvel” last month. The series stars Tatiana Masla-

ny as Jennifer Walters, the lawyer turned big green rage monster after a blood transfusion from her cousin: Mark Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner. The series looks different from all of the previous Disney+ MCU shows, with a comedic tone, fourth wall breaks, and a courtroom setting.

The series will doubtless be required viewing for the greater universe, with Abomination from “The Incredible Hulk”, Wong from “Doctor Strange” and even Daredevil confirmed to appear. The series premieres on Aug. 17.

“Andor” returns Disney+ viewers to the “Star Wars” universe once again, this time with a prequel to 2016’s “Rogue One.” Already confirmed for two seasons, the show will follow the path of Cassian Andor from citizen to rebel under the oppression of the Empire.

The trailer showcases a surprisingly dark tone, and this series will hopefully end up standing out from the crowd after its premiere on Aug. 31 Netflix brings a series based on science fiction author Neil Gaiman’s popular “Sandman” comic series on Aug. 5. It follows Morpheus, the personifi-

PHOTO COURTESY MASSIVE MONSTER

Cult of the Lamb carefully balances its macabre topic with a cute animated art style

cation of dreams, as they escape from century-long confinement and set out to right the kingdom of the dreaming. I’m not entirely sure what that means, but the cast is full of big names, and the visuals look mind-bending and stylish. Everyone is chasing the next big fantasy franchise that will capture imaginations, and this could be it.

Netflix also brings “Day Shift,” an action comedy film starring Jamie Foxx as a blue-collar vampire hunter on Aug. 12. The film also features Snoop Dogg.

“Me Time” is another film coming to Netflix on

Aug. 26, starring Kevin Hart as a stay-at-home dad who gets pulled into chaos after attending an old friend played by Mark Wahlberg’s birthday party.

HBO Max is premiering the first of several planned follow-ups to their enormously successful “Game of Thrones” with “House of the Dragon.”

Set two hundred years before the original series and following the ancestors of Daenerys Targaryen, it certainly looks like more “Game of Thrones.” Early reactions have been very positive, and the series premieres on Aug. 21.

Hulu is debuting

“Prey,” a new film in the “Predator” franchise on Aug. 5. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg, who directed “10 Cloverfield Lane,” “Prey” stars Amber Midthunder as a young Comanche warrior in 1719 who defends her tribe from a Predator. Reviews haven’t dropped at time of writing, but social media reactions after the film’s premiere were surprisingly positive, comparing the film very favorably to the original.

A&E

09

Hitbox Review: Stray - They had me at “meow button”

By Jake Dye editor@thenorthernlight.org

Release Date: July 19, 2022 Developer: BlueTwelve Studio Platform: PlayStation 5 [Played], PlayStation 4, PC Stray is, in many ways, a cat simulator. Play as a cat, scratch up couches, knock things off shelves, press the dedicated meow button, what isn’t to love?

In addition to cat-centered hijinks, Stray also features an emotional narrative about memory and friendship. The narrative beats during the game’s finale were surprisingly impactful considering the main character is a voiceless and largely emotionless cat.

Stray opens with the cat being separated from their cat family and falling a distance farther than seems survivable into the underground ruins of a lost civilization. The humans who built the city are long gone, the space they left behind is now filled by the machines once built as companions. The cat has to find their way through the city and back to the surface.

Perhaps my only major issue with the game is its lack of perceivable stakes.

Ostensibly, the cat wants to reunite with their family. That said, the cat is just a cat. There is no reinforcement of this desire at any point because the cat can’t talk. The game constantly encourages getting up to a distinct brand of cat mischief, so even in the actions I took as the cat I didn’t feel like I cared much either way whether I could find the surface again or not.

Fortunately, by the end of the game, this dissonance is easily enough cast aside because the stories of the cat’s companions are compelling in their own right. In the pursuit of reaching the surface, the cat makes allies of the Outsiders, a sort of secret society of robots who have pledged themselves to seek the surface. The cat gains more of their own personality through their efforts to help these robots, and having finished the game, it is the machines whose stories will stick with me.

Playing as a cat is a unique joy in Stray. I can’t think of any other title that has come so close to authentically representing the abilities or charm of a feline. The cat can traverse by leaping across distances or up onto shelves or platforms. The cat is small and can fit through grates and bars. Every move the cat makes is excellently realized through authentic animations.

The majority of Stray

is set in larger city spaces where the player can explore and solve puzzles to progress. These sections are broken up by light stealth sections where the cat has to avoid either aggressive endemic life or security drones.

During one of the stealth sections, I lept onto a platform a little hastily and landed right behind one such drone as it was turning around. In any traditional stealth game, this would probably be a problem. As a cat, I was very satisfied to leap up onto a pipe hanging right above the drone’s head.

A similar feeling arose when working on one puzzle and coming across a locked door. The door was made of bars, the cat was small enough to simply walk through. Cats are pretty cool.

During the exploration sections, there are mul-

tiple side quests that can be completed, and many ways to interact with the machines who reside in each district. Standing in someone’s way means tripping them. Jumping up onto a board game in progress sends pieces flying.

Meowing at or rubbing against people also results in more positive reactions.

One of my favorite activities available to the cat is the ability to curl up and take a nap. There must be a dozen or more opportunities throughout the game. The cat just curls up and goes to sleep until the player exits the moment while nice music plays and the camera pans out for a wider view of the environment. That’s good gaming.

Stray is a mostly-light adventure set in a neon-lit cyberpunk city. Its biggest selling point is the novelty of playing as a wholly ordinary cat. The game is

Every environment in Stray is beautifully realized with incredibly dense detail and stunning lighting effects

The residents of the underground city can communicate with the cat via a translator obtained early on.

The cat is able to climb easily and often views the environment from rooftops or catwalks

fairly easy and only takes around 4-5 hours to complete. I would recommend this game to anyone looking for a lighter experience, one devoid of guns, though I would note this game isn’t entirely wholesome.

There are some darker

themes, some sections can flirt with concepts of horror, and failing stealth sections can result in the cat dying as a fail state. No real harm comes to the cat at any point during the story, but these gameplay consequences stood out as starkly unpleasant.

Stray is available to subscribers of PlayStation Plus Extra or PlayStation Plus Premium at no additional cost.

Want to be paid to write reviews for movies, books or games at TNL? Apply for A&E Reporter!

OPINION

THENORTHERNLIGHT.ORG TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2022

10

A Letter from your Student Body President and Vice President

By Katie Scoggin & Shanone Tejada USUAA President & Vice President Dear Seawolves, Whether you are wrapping up your summer classes, traveling around the world, or just taking a step back and enjoying life- we hope that you are having a great summer! As we begin the transition into the 2022-2023 academic year we wanted to introduce ourselves. My name is Katie Scoggin and I am the UAA Student Body President. The Vice President, Shanone Tejada, and I will be serving as the USUAA leadership this coming academic year. USUAA or the Union of Students at the University of Alaska Anchorage, is your student government and our goal is to serve and represent you to the best of our abilities.

In the past years USUAA has successfully advocated on behalf of students for initiatives such as an adequate university budget and protection for our scholarships such as the Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS), the Alaska Education Grant (AEG), and the WashingtonWyoming-Alaska-Montana-Idaho Program (WAMMI). This summer we have been busy meeting with members of the administration, faculty, and community leaders to discuss our main goals for the upcoming school year.

Specifically, in the 2022-2023 academic year, we will focus on: (1) Affordability for Students As we all know college education comes at a price, every opportunity this USUAA administration gets, we will find ways to reduce the cost for students. Whether that be advocating for more zero-cost textbooks classes, reassessing the student fees, or raising student salaries, rest assured that we always have the student experience in our minds.

(2) Activities on Campus It is safe to say that after two years of Covid that we all miss the liveliness of our campus. This year, with the reinstatement of our Hockey Team and our Gymnastics Team along with our other amazing athletic teams, we want to see our student body engaged with their university. We will work with various departments and organizations throughout the year to host events for students where we can all connect and show off our Seawolf Pride.

(3) Advancing the Academic Experience When it comes to being a student, aside from the fi-

nancial struggles come the challenges of being an actual student and juggling all of the coursework. We want to ensure that Academic Advising is receiving the proper feedback from students to enhance the department in ways that a lack thereof might actually be hurting us.

We want professors and faculty to receive this kind of feedback as well so that we may all benefit from such improvements within departments, colleges and programs. We are so excited to welcome all Seawolves back to campus this coming fall! If you are interested in joining USUAA there are currently opportunities available to serve as a senator, delegate, ombuds, as well as positions on boards and committees on campus. Feel free to

follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. More information can be found on our website at usuaa.org.

We hope to see you all at Campus Kick-Off on Saturday, August 27, 1-4 pm in the Cuddy Quad!

Sincerely, Katie Scoggin Student Body President Email: usuaa.president@alaska.edu Shanone Tejada Student Body Vice President Email: usuaa.vicepresident@alaska.edu

OPINION

11

Letter from the Editor: It’s cliche, but the college experience really is what you make of it

By Jake Dye editor@thenorthernlight.org

My journey through UAA was less than traditional. Completion of a four-year degree somehow took me something like 8 years.

I can largely fit my college experience into two buckets: the years when I was a biological sciences major, and the years when I was a journalism and public communications major. As a biological sciences major, I effectively flunked out of college in 2017. As a JPC major, I graduated with departmental honors in 2022.

The difference between my failures in the former and my successes in the latter have little to do with the majors I chose.

When I first came to UAA, I lived on campus, in a residence hall with three roommates. I rarely engaged with them. I also didn’t join any organizations, clubs, or groups, and I sat silently in the back of my classes — assuming I attended in the first place — ghosting through several semesters.

Executive Editor Jake Dye made many mistakes at UAA, but still graduated with a degree.

When I returned to the university, it was 2020, and the pandemic had forced all of my classes onto Zoom. I didn’t set foot on campus for a full year. Despite working on a laptop in my garage in Soldotna, I was significantly more engaged. I spoke up in classes, I joined the student newspaper, and I began to attend events. I began to make connections.

More than that, I really

managed to define myself by participating in discussions and pouring my own interests, opinions and emotions into my coursework.

Though I was still far from a social butterfly, becoming engaged wholly redefined my experience at UAA. In 2017, I left UAA embittered and disillusioned. In 2022, I am walking away from UAA with pride and excitement,

STAFF CONTACTS

not to mention a diploma.

I’m not ascribing all of my failings in my early years at the university to my own introversion. I had plenty of other problems to work through. I am saying that my first years at UAA were entirely miserable, while my later years saw me excited to rise to the challenge of my coursework, excited to learn and excited to be a member of the UAA community. It’s

the difference between enduring college and enjoying it.

I risk sounding cliche, but the college experience really is what you make of it. It’s definitely possible to acquire a diploma by showing up to classes and completing assignments.

There’s a lot more to be gained at UAA than just a diploma.

This is me, encouraging you to step out of your comfort zone. There’s really no better time to do it. Speak up in class, put yourself out there in your work and join something!

After years of pandemic operations, there’s not a group or organization on campus that isn’t looking for people.

There are clubs for psychology, philosophy, cyber security, anime and countless others. There are fraternities and sororities. You can write for The Northern Light or start a radio show at KRUA. You can step up and represent your fellow students by getting involved with USUAA. You can join a competitive esports team with the E-Wolves. There

are also groups for LGBTQ+ students like The Family or women’s rights advocacy groups like the FIRM. I would confidently venture that there isn’t a single student at UAA who couldn’t find some space for themselves, and if there really isn’t one you can make it by registering a new club with UAA Life.

No two individuals are going to have the same college experience. This Freshmen Edition of TNL is being mailed out to nearly 2200 students who are new to UAA. Whether brand new students or transfers from other universities, that’s 2200 new stories beginning, not to mention the countless others who are turning the page to the next chapter.

You have the power to define your own story, but it’s easier if you don’t go through it all alone.

Regardless of how long you spend at UAA, take this time to develop more than just your academic transcript. More importantly, try to have some fun.

A S S O C I AT E D CO L L E G I AT E P R ES S

3211 Providence Drive Student Union 113

Media Adviser Paola Banchero

Executive Editor Jake Dye (907) 786-1313 editor@thenorthernlight.org‌

Administrative Adviser Zac Clark

News Reporter Matthew Schmitz news2@thenorthernlight.org

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