February 9, 2016

THE NORTHERN LIGHT

UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA ANCHORAGE

LOVE EDITION

FEBRUARY 9, 2016

THE L VE EDITION ILLUSTRATION BY INNA MIKHAILOVA GRAPHIC BY DEMI STRAUGHN

NEWS

THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2016

| 02

Engaged UAA couple find home in Catholic Church

PHOTOS BY NOLIN AINSWORTH

Rachel Dunagan and Paul Curran pose inside the courtyard of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church where walkways, fountains and statues of the Virgin Mary makes for a peaceful retreat in the summer.

By Nolin Ainsworth

sports@thenorthernlight.org

Before Rachel Dunagan was ever Paul Curran’s Valentine and vice versa, there was one minor discord they needed to smooth out. While both devoted Christians, Dunagan was raised in a Protestant family while Curran came from a Catholic background. The two would begin dating anyway, with the understanding they would eventually come to a resolution. As of last December, when the UAA sophomores got engaged, Dunagan was enrolled in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, or RCIA, a program that prepares prospective Catholics or “catechumens” for confirmation in the church.

When The Northern Light caught up with the couple, they were getting ready to start a marriage preparation program, per the norm for Catholics intending on getting married in the church. The program helps couples learn more about each other and the meaning of the sacrament.

St. Patrick’s Catholic Church is one of eight Catholic parishes located in Anchorage. Curran and Dunagan have chosen to get married in the parish this summer.

like, ‘Oh, let’s interview each other.’ We also had both gone to a Spanish club too and ... had a mutual friend so we socially connected in a couple ways.”

Curran: “She was afraid of me.”

Dunagan: “No.” (laughs) Curran: “Yeah...”

Dunagan: “I just find tall people kind of intimidating and Paul’s like a foot taller than me. So at first I just thought he was a little intimidating.”

How tall are you both?

Curran: “6’ 3”.”

Dunagan: “I’m 5’ 2”.”

So you were just especially shy around him?

Dunagan: “Yeah, I’m not too outgoing of a person I suppose... I don’t know.”

Curran: “So, dating methods... scare the person you’re planning on dating.” (laughs)

TNL: Let’s go back to the first class you guys had together, was it right out of the gate of college or was it after a semester or two?

Rachel Dunagan: “Actually it was the first day of college that we met in Spanish class.”

Paul Curran: “And we’re also in the same hallway in the dorms, and we were then too.”

Have you guys been members of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church for several years?

Dunagan: “Not really, when we first met I was Protestant and he was Catholic and we both tried to convert each other. It ended up going the opposite way of what I thought was going to happen and so I’m a catechumen now and I’m going to be confirmed this Easter. So it was kind of funny and not according to my plan anyways, but I guess according to God’s, so that worked well.”

Can you tell me a little bit more about meeting each other on that day?

Dunagan: “Sure. So we had to interview a student and then present them in front of the class and we just so happened to be sitting next to each other. So we were

So does that force you to just dig deeper into your faith?

Dunagan: “Yeah, we had a whole bunch of debates over dinner about [it].”

Curran: “I sort of feel like she thought I was going

to hell.”

Dunagan: “No, I did not... I did not think that at all. (laughs) Paul...”

So that really came to the surface pretty soon after you started dating?

Together: “Before we started dating.”

I’m sure Paul learned a lot more about the Protestant faith than he used to know and you of the Catholic faith, and so was it a little uncomfortable at times?

Dunagan: “I had grown up in a Protestant family and a Protestant church and so I didn’t know too much about Catholicism and so what I did know was a lot of misconceptions, so it was pretty good to hear it from a Catholic than from people who don’t know much about it.”

So for a period of time I’m guessing you guys both went to each other’s churches?

Curran: “Still do, because her parents want her to.”

Dunagan: “So I’m going to figure out a way after I’m confirmed to tell them like, ‘Okay I’m just going to St. Patrick’s now.’ We’ll see what happens.”

Do they give Paul a hard time?

Curran: “Not too bad, no, not at all. It’s pretty easy, it could be a lot worse. It could be very bad.”

Dunagan: “My parents have been pretty good about it. It was a little rocky at first but they’ve come around.”

Tomorrow, you get to really get down to business about what its going to be like living a life together.

What’s that like?

Curran: “I’m not too worried about it. We’re taking almost all the same classes, so we’re around each other all the time. I haven’t gotten sick of her yet.”

NEWS

THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2016

| 03

UAA’s Little Black Dress event teaches meaning of consent

PHOTOS BY GEORGE HYDE

Nilda’s Party Creations donated a cake to the event.

gchyde@thenorthernlight.org

Sexual consent is legally defined as the voluntary agreement to engage in a sexual activity. There is no vagueness or gray areas in this definition. If you or your partner do not give consent, it’s considered sexual assault or rape. If you are drunk, high, asleep or are otherwise rendered unable to make conscious judgments about sex, you cannot give consent.

Even with a definition that simple, some people do not get the idea. Often, when a woman is sexually assaulted or raped, they are blamed for the incident.

It could be the way they were dressed, or where and when they were at the time.

The Little Black Dress Doesn’t Mean Yes event in the Student Union Den on Feb. 4 was meant to defy this principle.

“The reason that we picked this event is because we really want to counteract the cultural narrative that if somebody dresses provocatively, or if somebody’s drunk, sexual assault becomes okay or something that we would expect,” Johanna Richter, a student who organized the event alongside UAA Student Health and Counseling Center, said. “And I think that it’s really particularly important to me because of the people that I know that have been sexually assaulted. A lot of them felt like they couldn’t report because the felt like, ‘well, I was drinking, so it’s my fault.’”

The reason for the encouraged attire was simple — it’s often seen as a provocative dress. A common misconception is that a small dress implies consent, when it really doesn’t.

“For a woman’s wardrobe, it’s really basic,” Jacob Shercliffe, the public relations manager for USUAA, said. “It works for everything. You can dress it up, you can dress it down, you can wear it at night, you can just wear it wherever.

Unfortunately what that means is that it’s very much cocktail attire, in many ways, and that’s the situation where we’re most in fear of people who are going to be either sexual assaulted or can lead to very bad situations. So the biggest conversation is what affirmative consent means, how that’s going to help people. We want to stop the symbol that wearing a little black dress just means that they want to have sex with you.”

According to Richter, the idea for the event came when Student Health and Counseling brainstormed ideas for bringing the topic up on campus. In addition to kicking off Healthy Sexuality Week, which begins Feb. 9, the event also adver-

tises resources that students and victims can utilize if they’re assaulted or abused.

They weren’t alone. Student Health and Counseling Center had help from many organizations, ranging from oncampus organizations like Student Activities and Student Clubs and Greek Life, all the way to other organizations like Sadler’s Home Furnishings or Nilda’s Party Creations, who donated gift bags, cake and other goodies.

“We’ve had a lot of great support for the event,” said Richter. “USUAA did all of the posters, they were really helpful in making sure that this event happened.”

The event is a departure from previous attempts from UAA to convey the meaning of consent. Many students saw the event as a more successful way to present that information, being more fun and inviting than more typical presentations.

“Just the diversity of ways that you can communicate something really starts to appeal to different people, said Shercliffe. “So I’m not saying that there’s anything wrong with having pamphlets and Powerpoint presentations but you only get a very select group of people to go to those events. When you have something more broadly appealing like a mixer where you can meet people and interact, you can have a little bit more fun, and we think that we get a lot more outreach to different types of students.”

It is important to reach out to as many people as possible, because men and women alike aren’t aware of the resources available to contact in case of an assault or rape. Resources like Student Health and Counseling Center on campus, or Standing Together Against Rape (S.T.A.R.) will always be available to those affected.

“Standing against rape and the idea of this ‘yes culture’ and this hyper-sexualized world, it’s important to take a step back and realize we’re all human and we’re all people and our bodies need to be respected, no matter who you are, male or female,” Rebecca Thomas, an Early Childhood Education student at UAA who attended the event, said. “[Little Black Dress] is a good event to open that kind of conversation on campus.”

That was the goal for the event. The organizers realized that this was a multidimensional issue that needed to be presented in a unique and interesting way.

In many ways, they succeeded. Many students attended, and it was a fun night full of music, socializing and lots of cake.

Most importantly, it got the word out about important resources which will be available whenever people need them most.

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FEATURES

THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2016

| 04

Aphrodisiac Alaskana

By Victoria Petersen

vgpetersen@thenorthernlight.org

It seems like the last thing college kids need is a list of foods that will make them horny. Aren’t our hormones rampant enough already? The desire for sex is evident across all cultures spanning over thousands of years; as has the desire to find the perfect potion to get anyone in the mood.

An aphrodisiac is considered to be any substance that’s consumed to increase libido. Popular aphrodisiacs you may have heard of before include oysters, dark chocolate and red wine. With little research on the effect of aphrodisiacs, most evidence is subjective. Whether it’s a placebo effect or the real deal, a delicious aphrodisiac inspired meal this Valentine’s Day is sure to please any date, in or out of the bedroom.

From the dangerously delicious to the down-right disgusting, aphrodisiacs vary

and may even be counter-intuitive. Balut, the Filipino delicacy that is fertilized duck egg, is famous for its aphrodisiac qualities. In my travels to the Philippines, I tried Balut, and the only desire I had afterwards was to vomit. If you’re curious, or desperate, you can find Balut at the New Sagaya Midtown Market.

For an Alaskan themed Valentine’s dinner, focus on fresh seafood, especially oysters. Make your way over to the Bubbly Mermaid in downtown Anchorage where they have a monopoly on the best oysters and champagne in town, creating the perfect recipe for a romantic evening.

Legend has it that Aphrodite arose from the sea in an oyster shell as the Goddess of love and fertility. Salmon is said to have aphrodisiac elements as well. For the adventurous eater, crushed up caribou antler and bear claw are sought out by the Far East as a powerful aphrodisiac. I do not recommend trying to get your hands on it, but the oosik bone — the baculum or penal bone of walruses, seals, sea lions and polar bears — is sold on the black market by Native Alaskan’s to buyers in Asia who prize the bone as an aphrodisiac, according to Jeremy Sacks, author of “Culture, Cash or Calories: Interpreting Alaska Native Subsistence Rights.”

Champagne and red wine is a Valentine’s Day classic, but don’t totally rule out the power of beer. Before beer was made with hops it was produced using

gruit, a collection of herbs used to bitter and flavor beer. The use of gruit was left to the wayside when the puritan and protestant brewers wanted to phase out the, apparently, aphrodisiac qualities that gruit supposedly possess. Using hops grew in popularity and has been the norm in beer ever since. However, modern brewers are looking to this old fashioned way of making beer as a unique way of flavoring their ales. Breweries in Alaska, in fact, are venturing into the gruit world.

Alaska Brewing Company’s Alaska Winter Ale, is made with a combination of gruit and hops, as is the Baranof Island Brewing Company’s Sitka Spruce Tip Ale. The aphrodisiac qualities of these specific beers are unknown, but it’s worth a shot.

Whether fact or fiction many of the above mentioned foods will make for a great dinner, snack or even conversation starter.

PHOTO BY VICTORIA PETERSEN

Red wine and dark chocolate brownies with pomegranates Inspired by a recipe I found on Pinterest, this recipe was posted on the food blog “With food+love” and was titled Pomegranate brownies with cacao nibs and sea salt. I decided to give it the college student spin and make it for myself. I used a box brownie mix and dark chocolate chips instead of cacao nibs and bought pomegranate seeds already harvested from the fruit, which made the process much simpler. I also opted out of the sea salt as I felt there was already so much going on with the brownie as is.

Don’t forget to account for the ingredients needed as part of the box brownie mix. This usually includes one or two eggs and oil.

Ingredients:

• One box of brownie mix and ingredients that correspond with the mix (I used a dark chocolate brownie mix) • 1 and 1/2 cup of dark chocolate chips • 1 cup of red wine (I used a red blend) • 1 pomegranate or 1 package of pomegranate seeds

Directions:

1. Spray the baking pan with cooking oil and preheat the oven to the temperature indicated on the box.

2. Prepare the brownie mix as indicated on the box.

3. Pour one cup of the chocolate chips into the brownie batter and stir them in until mixed well.

4. Pour the entire bowl of batter into the oiled baking pan until all the batter is evenly distributed into the bowl.

5. When the oven is preheated, cook the brownies for the time indicated on the box.

6. Check the brownies periodically by putting a fork in the brownies and seeing if the fork comes out clean.

7. When the brownies are done, immediately sprinkle the 1/2 cup of dark chocolate chips over the brownies.

8. Sprinkle the pomegranate seeds over the brownies.

9. Let brownies cool for about 15 minutes and serve to the one you love.

Healthy Sexuality Resource Fair

By Kathryn Casello

kcasello@thenorthernlight.org

A Healthy Sexuality Resource Fair will be put on at the Commons on Feb. 10 from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. The goal is to promote healthy sexuality and education, advocate for safe sex practices, as well as provide information, relevant literature and words of advice.

Kristin Brandner, a nursing major who is participating in the Healthy Sexuality Fair, focused on LGBTQ Sexual Health.

“We feel that it’s important because we want to promote the greatest good for the community by reducing STI transmission and providing education about having a healthy sex life,” said Brandner. “Sex needs to be consensual and between partners who have the same ideas about what is safe.”

Brandner said that the needs of the LGBTQ community extend to making sure that the

entire community of Anchorage, and Alaska, is supportive and helpful for all individuals.

“We’ll be passing out LGBTQ brochures on being an ally and being supportive to the community, resources for sexual health testing, free condoms and Planned Parenthood will be there as a resource for people who want to ask questions or seek health treatment from them.”

For Brandner, one goal of putting on the fair is breaking down untrue and dangerous stereotypes and social myths about sex and sexuality in society.

“We went around campus and did an anonymous survey where we asked what students think are barriers to accessing sexual health care, and many people responded that ‘the stigma surrounding sex’ is a barrier. We want people to know that you should be able to be open with your partner. We want to reduce the stigma about talking about sex and fetishes and condoms

and it’s important to let those conversations happen to make people feel more comfortable.”

Matthew Brown, a nursing major focusing on men’s sexual health for the fair, said that the survey revealed other troubling information of sexual health.

“In our survey we talked about means of birth control, and a lot of people wrote down that they used certain techniques to prevent pregnancy that are not actual forms of prevention. 15-20 percent of respondents reported using the ‘pullout method’ as a form of birth control. If that doesn’t show a need for intervention, then I don’t know what does.”

Brown emphasized that men have very real sexual health needs and part of sex education is being open and honest about risks and possibilities.

“We’re trying to represent men in sexual health and I think men are more expected to ‘suck it up’ and ‘be strong’ so we’re trying to advocate on their

behalf and develop activities to help inform all people about men’s health needs. One of the biggest things that college-aged (18-25) men need to make sure that they check themselves for testicular cancers. 98 percent of cases of testicular cancer can be totally dealt with if they’re taken care of early.”

Cassie Theel, a charge nurse for Women’s Health and certified pediatric nurse at Alaska Regional Hospital emphasized how important sex education and STI testing is for college students in protecting themselves, their sex partners and possible future children.

“It’s definitely important that UAA is putting on the fair. Safe sex doesn’t just affect you, it affects all of your intimate relationships,” said Theel. “If you have sex in college and you’re experimenting and trying new things and you develop an STD, you could pass that on to a child or to someone else. It’s incredibly important to have conversa-

tions about safe sex, because it really does have an impact later in life.”

Brown explained that sex a regular part of life and doesn’t need to be taboo or uncomfortable in society. Instead, the important thing is being educated about sexual health.

“Almost everybody has sex.

It can be a great uniting thing, it doesn’t have to be this awkward thing. It’s only weird if you make it weird. You might be shocked at some of the things you learn about men’s sexual health. Men really need to come to get the shocking truth.”

The fair will feature informational booths, games and prizes for attending and participating, as well as food and treats. Safe sex is about open communication and willingness to try new things, and the Healthy Sexuality Fair is promoting education and accessible resources.

FEATURES

TTHENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2016

| 05

How to make friends at UAA

By Kathryn Casello

kcasello@thenorthernlight.org

With 18,154 students enrolled at UAA, making friends seems like it should be a breeze. But with only 8,000 full-time students, less than 1,000 living in campus housing and a reputation as a classic commuter school, sometimes it can feel a little lonely.

“In general classes, it’s hard to make friends,” Kaeli Meno, double-major in history and English, said. “We have such a large, spread out campus and a lot of times, if you see a person one time you might not see them again. Exposure in class isn’t really enough to make lasting friendships.”

Sierra Baker, a freshman living in East Hall agreed.

“I feel like it’s a lot harder in classes because it’s not really the right situation to socialize, you can really only introduce yourself.”

For many people, making friends can feel daunting or awkward, and getting out to socialize might feel like a drag during the frigid winter months.

So what are the best option for students to get a more typical “college experience” at UAA?

Getting out and joining a club or sport, or grabbing a friend and checking out activities put on by the school.

“There are these smallknit communities that if you immerse yourself into them, you get to know more about the people within it. With Honor’s College and Debate Team, I’ve met people through that,” said Meno.

“I think ultimately students have to find clubs and things that they’re interested in to find likeminded people.”

Kyle Simmons, President of Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) and the starter of the Power Lifting and Meditation Club said that being part of Greek Life is a very effective way to find a community at UAA. “I can’t walk from one side of campus to the other without seeing multiple people that I know. You have a lot of opportunities through Greek life to get involved in clubs or organizations on campus, and there’s always something going on,” said Simmons, a mechanical engineering major. “If I wasn’t involved in Greek life, I wouldn’t have had the ability to experience a lot of the opportunities I’ve had. Greek life might feel a little intimidating, but at the end

of the day it’s been the best decision I’ve made at UAA.” At the Student Involvement Fair on Feb. 3 all the fraternities and sororities and many clubs and organizations on campus had tables in the Student Union.

Students got a chance to see the communities that are part of UAA which is crucial to finding a “family” in college. Attending events at UAA is a stress-free, casual way to see what’s happening with the student body.

“A lot of the events like Speed Friending and events like

that, and joining sororities, I’ve heard that those are good ways to make friends,” said Baker.

“In my hall, the RA’s are usually really good about getting us all involved together. They do movie nights, and I remember last semester they had a Christmas party in the lounge. One time our entire hall went to a movie at the theater together and stuff like that is really fun. I’ve gone to a few Chi Alpha [Student Ministries] things and I tried out a Wilderness/Survival Club.

I definitely need to go out and

get myself a little black dress to attend that event [Little Black Dress Doesn’t Mean Yes]. Me and my group of friends are all interested in that kind of stuff.”

The school is hosting Dan Savage’s “Savage Love Live”, the ClayBody Ceramic Invitational, Spoken Word Tuesdays, Meditation Wellness Club & Expressive Arts Club, Mafia Mondays for Residence students and Sexy Jeopardy all within the next few weeks.

COMIC BY GENEVIEVE MINA

Putting yourself out there can be scary, but finding common interests with others can be a great way to meet people.

For more information about events happening on campus visit: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/sll/calendar/index.cfm

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06 | FEATURES

THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2016

The vicious cycle of corporate holiday celebration In the year 2013, an alien brain slug from one of the galaxy’s most feared empires crash-landed on Earth and assumed control of a lowly reporter at this newspaper.

These are his stories.

By Klax Zlubzecon

Translated by George Hyde It’s that time of year.

I’ve always hated that phrase. “That time of year” could refer to freaking President’s Day just as easily as it could to the topic of this article.

Anyways, Valentine’s. As you are all likely to know, my species reproduces asexually — actually, that’s not technically true, but it’s clear that the worker and scouting drones like myself aren’t getting any action — and my host, being a PC gaming, anime-watching slob, obviously isn’t doing anything either. He’s been making more of an effort lately to get out and try meeting more people, but it’s doubtful he’ll find someone for Valentine’s.

Which is fine. He doesn’t care. Despite what big companies would have you believe, it’s not a deadline or anything.

Typically, this is the time of the year when companies

start shoving flowers, heart-shaped candy boxes and sloppily-made romance DVDs into consumers’ faces.

As for why they choose to do this, well, we’ve discussed the timing of the holiday in a previous column — it’s totally arbitrary. The backstory regards the legend of St. Valentine of Rome, and how he was imprisoned for marrying soldiers and Christians who were forbidden from marrying. He healed the jailer’s daughter, wrote a goodbye letter signed “Your Valentine,” and that’s why 20th Century Fox is advertising “Deadpool” as a date movie.

Obviously, this has led to Valentine’s being a big cash cow for many industries, from restaurants to entertainment to candy to... well, more perverted industries.

They picked a hell of a time of year to do it, too.

Everybody knows that the most romantic season of the year is the period between winter and spring, where everything is dusty and icy and just cold enough to make driving just about impossible. Everyone is sick, cold and busy studying for midterms. Sexy.

If you’re single, like me and my host, you still can’t escape. Advertisements are everywhere for single’s

nights, mixers and other things designed to lure you into corporate America’s sensual trap. Let’s also not forget the great deals people get on post-Valentine’s candy, as stores desperately try to get the Valentine’s stuff off their shelves to prepare for... I don’t know. St. Patrick’s or something?

Always a vicious cycle, it is. After Valentine’s Day, it’s another holiday. After that, it’s Easter. Then 4th of July. Then “back to school” sales. Then Halloween.

Then Christmas. Then back to Valentine’s again. It’s like a version of “The Nightmare Before Christmas” in which the main character is motivated by greed rather than boredom, possibly both.

That cycle is vicious towards the consumer, too. It inflicts psychological panic, putting pressure on one partner to try and impress the other with goods bought from the local superstore. After all, if Valentine’s Day rolls around and you learn that your significant other doesn’t have anything in mind, wouldn’t you get upset?

That’s where they get you.

Why does one single day need to emphasize romance above all others? You can pick absolutely any day of the year to celebrate your love for your partner.

Anything can be a romantic activity, if done right. If I were a sexual beast, I would find the idea of watching our armies conquer a planet from orbit to be a magnificent sight to share with someone. Alternatively, if you’re of Earth and also not a psychopath, bring your special someone to that 4th of July holiday I just mentioned. If it’s a beautiful day, take them on a hike. If it’s icy and slippery outside, stay in and play some “Diablo” with them online.

Who are corporations to tell us when to love one another? You can choose any day of the year to be more romantic with your partner. Hell, it’d probably be better to do it on your own terms, given that it’ll be a pleasant surprise to them. Sure, you can do it on Valentine’s Day, but sometimes the best romantic ideas can come right out of nowhere.

Just remember to stay smart. Know both of your limitations, and definitely don’t try to force them into situations that they might not be comfortable with.

If you’re single, there’s always “XCOM 2” and halfpriced candy. It could be way worse.

RESISTANCE IS FUTILE.

EMBRACE THE SEAWOLF SLUG.

Valentine’s Day: the annual struggle A well-meaning column rife with clunky metaphors and horrible advice, Orange Rhymes With is the goto place to break the monotony of classes and laugh at someone else’s misfortune.

By Evan Dodd Contributor

“Love, sex, and Valentine’s day,” I read aloud to my girlfriend with mounting dismay. “It’s the same damn topic every year, no matter how much of a train wreck these columns turn out to be.”

Laughing with a knowing glance, she began choking on her Wheaties as I became more animated and agitated with the thought of yet another Hallmark inspired column. While normally supportive of whatever I write on any given week, she knows me well enough to know that I begin dreading this time of year somewhere in October, and I only become more cynical as the years pass.

Frankly, it’s unnerving that anyone would trust me to write about a topic so far out of my depth. If I were tasked to cover Mental Health Awareness Month, I’d gladly offer some pertinent insights

on self-love. Likewise, if I were to write a column on backcountry safety and medicine, I could wryly depict my deep love of not dying in the wilderness. But given the opportunity to write about gaudy public displays of affection designed to illicit attention, I recoil in deeply ingrained disgust.

Let me start at the root of the problem: I don’t place V-Day in the same class of real holidays worth celebrating.

Important holidays are worth celebrating because they’re inclusive displays of some culturally significant event. Whether it’s a day of religious significance such as Easter, a day of friendship like Festivus, or a poorly disguised excuse to drink like St. Patrick’s Day, the common themes of mutual celebration and inclusive community atmosphere run deep.

Valentine’s Day is the polar opposite.

For the single, it’s a day of jealousy and desperation that makes it feel as if you’ve been excluded from some grand party

that everyone else is attending. If you’re in a relationship, you’re often expected to concoct some monumental display of affection for your partner, as if we’re all just desperate peacocks hoping that our plumage will outrank our peers.

I’m convinced that V-Day is a holiday meant for single people and new relationships that haven’t yet left the awkward stage, because the most successful couples I know don’t seem to place any stock in the debacle. Those couples instead express love in a quiet manner by going on a weekend ski trip, or doing a weeklong hike without wanting to leave one another for dead on the trail.

As a society, we don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day the way we should, focusing not on the act of love, but rather the status symbols of attractive partners, expensive bouquets and dinners, all of which are dutifully posted to social media in a perpetually losing game of one-upmanship.

Hell, even typing that was exhausting.

Thankfully, I’m in a relationship that places less value on Valentine’s Day than we do on Earth Day. Taylor and I don’t tend to schedule dinner at a romantic restaurant weeks in advance, generally because we’re forgetful and find sitting amidst disgustingly affectionate couples as counterproductive to enjoying a meal.

Instead, we’ll spend a long weekend in Homer every January to spark some romance that consists of eating our body weight in Thai food, hanging around a crusty old fisherman’s bar and impressing the Homer Brewing Company with our intestinal fortitude. As for the holiday itself? Frankly, we’d forgotten all about it until the agonizing writing process for this column began.

If you came here for love advice, then you’re so hopelessly lost that you might as well just bow out now and prepare for next February. But anecdotally, there are some common themes to look for in very successful relationships. The best couples I know are equals, filled with mutual respect for each other as best friends and lovers, and their sex lives tend to be frequent, vigorous and highly experimental.

Everything else consists of filling in the blanks as you get to know your significant other, whether they want to celebrate with flowers, a fancy dinner or simply a new pair of handcuffs that don’t chafe so damn much.

There are so many ways to make the holiday work for you that don’t include mingling with other desperate singles in bars on a holiday meant for love. Celebrate a longstanding platonic friendship with a nice night out, or just take a day off to celebrate your love for yourself with a ski trip or winter hike. As for Taylor and I, we’ll be staying in on Valentine’s Day, making a giant pot of soup in our new apartment and watching the recently added Frozen Planet series on Netflix in a state conducive to marveling at nature.

There are many melancholy “lasts” in my final semester of curating this column, which I’m sure is apparent as I spit run-on sentences into the void, desperate to get the last word in before I lose my soapbox. Thankfully, the final annual V-Day column is a joyous parting. So whether your Sunday consists of heartfelt romance, sexual adventure or just a nice bottle of beer with an old friend, know that however blissful your celebration, it pales in comparison to the catharsis of completing this final dreaded column.

FEATURES

TTHENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2016

| 07

UAA Students get in

FREE

Almost as good as free food. Almost.

VS UAA Seawolves

Lake Superior State

19 & 20 FEB

at the newly renovated

Sullivan Arena

7:07pm

For tickets, visit

FEB

GoSeawolves.com

On sale at Sullivan Arena box office and all Ticketmaster locations.

FREE TICKETS

at the door with valid student ID. UAA is an AA/EO employer and educational institution.

PORTRAITS OF PLACE R

Now on view This photography exhibition explores the Arctic in Alaska, Greenland, Norway, Canada and Russia Image: Tiina Itkonen, “Three towels and two polar bear trousers,” Greenland

anchoragemuseum.org Members enjoy free museum admission. Join today!

A&E

THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2016

| 08

ALBUM REVIEW

Valentine’s Day playlist: How to set the mood

By Felipe Godoy Diaz Contributor

Valentine’s day is just around the corner. Whether you’ve got yourself a “boo” or you’re swiping right until your fingers are sore, there is plenty of music that can get you ready for the big day. Here are 10 songs to set the mood right this Valentine’s Day.

Marvin Gaye – “Let’s Get it On” This has to be the official quintessential track of Valentine’s Day. For years, Marvin Gaye has personally been responsible for the births of children all around the world. “Let’s Get it On” has such a legacy that there is YouTube version that loops the song for 24 straight hours.

Al Green – “Let’s Stay Together” Al Green’s gospel-roots and unique voice define this soulful 1972 track. Also, if you’re going to celebrate Valentine’s Day, celebrate it with a song that the Library of Congress selected as a recording that is “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”

Foreigner – “Feels Like The First Time” For those looking for more of a rock and roll type of Valentine’s Day, there is this 1977 classic from the band Foreigner. The backstory is about lead singer’s Mick Jones fresh start in life after a divorce that eventually led to meeting a new wife and moving to America

Chris Isaak – “Wicked Games” “Wicked Games” was released in 1989 but the song became a hit two years later when director David Lynch used it in the movie “Wild at Heart.”

As Issak describes it, “It was written in a short time, because I remember that a girl had called me and said, ‘I want to come over and talk to you,’ and ‘talk’ was a euphemism.”

R. Kelly – “Bump N’ Grind” R Kelly has been making sexually induced R&B for nearly 30 years. The pinnacle of his catalog has to be “Bump ‘N Grind” which starts out with the a capella line, “My mind is telling me no but my body, my body’s telling me yes.” If that doesn’t get you ready for Valentine’s Day, I don’t know what will.

D’Angelo – “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” For 14 years, D’Angelo took a hiatus from music and fame.

Fortunately, before the hiatus, D’Angelo released “Untitled” the lead single off 2000’s “Voodoo.” Notoriously known for its sexually charged music video, the song is an R&B standard that is just as smooth with every listen.

K-Ci & Jojo – “All My Life” This 1997 ballad was heard across high school gyms and weddings as the end of the night “slow dance.” Lucky for you, it is also doubles as a great Valentine’s Day song. You get bonus points if you get your significant other to sing it to you karaoke style.

Ginuwine – “Pony” For the last 26 years, Timbaland has been a part of every hit in Hip-Hop and R&B music.

“Pony” is no exception, with its strange voice modulation sample and Ginuwine’s explicit lyrics. The song is a must for any love related occasion.

Usher – “Climax” A collaboration between Usher and Diplo, “Climax” is said to be about the twist and turns of a relationship rather than the sexual overtones it presents. The EDM influenced production by Diplo along with Usher’s voice on the hook make for an excellent contemporary slow jam.

Miguel – “Adorn” This 2012 slow groove is filled with sensual melodies and packed with sexual energy.

When asked if he’s ever made love to the track, Miguel said, “I leave my own music out of the bedroom.” At least we still get to enjoy this modern classic.

THE

NORTHERN LIGHT

SPORTS

Athletes earn best fall semester GPA of all time for UAA Athletics

THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2016

First home meet in the AAC

By Simone Penker Contributor

GRAPHIC BY JIAN BAUTISTA

By Nolin Ainsworth

sports@thenorthernlight.org

In what equated to a program-best, the Seawolves earned a combined gradepoint average (GPA) of 3.24.

“Our student-athletes continue to compete at a very high level in the classroom as well as in their fields of competition,” said UAA Athletic Director Keith Hackett in a press release.

Ahead of the curve was the gymnastics team, who averaged a 3.46 GPA and

put nearly half of its team on the Fall 2015 Chancellor’s List for earning a perfect 4.0.

Prior to last year, the best combinedGPA of UAA’s student-athletes was 3.20 in 2012.

Each of the six teams competing this spring has at least one member that earned a perfect 4.0 GPA for the Fall 2015 semester.

| 10

After starting our season off with a 191.500 against Bowling Green in Ohio, we had a bye week to recover and get ready for our first home meet on Saturday, Feb. 6, against Brigham Young.

Some of us had to deal with injuries, so coaches had to modify our assignments to not “overtrain” us but to keep us in optimal shape. Although injuries are always worrisome, dealing with them makes us a stronger team. With a few people stepping up to grab a spot in the line-up, which consists of only six out of our 17 girls, we are now ready to show our home crowd what we got.

This weeks’ practice consisted of assignments to boost our confidence when competing and exercises to maintain our strength. On Monday, Feb. 1, and Tuesday, Feb. 2, we focused on individual skills of our routines, especially on form and shape of the elements. On beam we usually have an assignment that requires us to perform our competition routines, and based on our performance, we focus on individual parts or elements of our routines. Most of the time we have partner assignments, where the performance of your partner determines what and how much you have to do. On Wednesday, Feb. 3, we practiced “vault team,” meaning that we simulate a meet situation where the vault line-up warms up and shows their vault in the same order they would compete in a meet. On Thursday, Feb. 4, we did the same scenario with bars and floor.

UAA Athletics’ week in brief

BY NOLIN AINSWORTH & JORDAN RODENBERGER

Thursday, February 4, 2016 UAA - 59, Concordia - 32 Megan Mullings’ 19 points and 12 rebounds propelled the Lady Seawolves to a 59-32 beat down over Concordia. The Seawolves went on an 18-0 run starting in the second quarter, holding Concordia scoreless for over nine minutes. Senior Jenna Buchanan nailed three 3-pointers, while Concordia guard Lexi Campbell led her team with nine points.

UAA - 108, Western Washington - 105 The Seawolves came out on top in double-overtime after squandering a 17 point lead with only 6:25 remaining in regulation. Suki Wiggs totaled 33 points, 10 boards, and four assists, while already breaking the UAA single-season record for most free throws made with 176. Western Washington guard Kyle Impero had a game-high 37 points (12-21 FG) and came in clutch for the Vikings when they needed him the most. Senior Brian McGill had 31 points, going 15 for 15 from the charity stripe.

Saturday, February 6, 2016 UAA - 77, Western Oregon - 42 The UAA women won their 14th straight in a 77-42 win over Western Oregon. Jessica Madison led all scorers with 15 points, while also posting six rebounds and five assists.

Christina Davis shared the ball, finishing with seven assists along with five points. The Seawolves have beaten Western Oregon 25 straight times, extending their record for longest winning streak against any opponent.

UAA - 86, Simon Fraser - 66 Brian McGill continued his hot streak by notching a career high 34-point performance in an 86-66 victory over Simon Fraser. Suki Wiggs added 24 points for the Seawolves, while Christian Leckband had a career high 11 rebounds with eight points. Simon Fraser big man Gibran Sewani led the team with 16 points, and guard Oshea Gairey had 12 points of his own.

Brigham Young - 195.575, UAA gymnastics - 191.100 Brigham Young’s Mackenzie Douglas scored 9.800 or higher on all three of her events and the Cougars beat the

Seawolves last weekend before a sold-out crowd. BYU took the lead early with a 48.925 output in the uneven bars.

UAA’s M’rcy Matsunami delivered a nearly flawless all-around performance, finishing with 38.975 points, which included the second-highest bars score (9.800) of the meet. The Seawolves saved their best for last — the floor exercise. Simone Penker and Kallie Randolph led the Seawolves on the square mat, scoring 9.800 and 9.775 respectively.

UAA hockey - 4, Northern Michigan - 5 The Wildcat’s scored three unanswered goals in the second period Saturday night to sweep their weekend series with the Seawolves. NMU was 3-3 in WCHA play in January before earning two home wins to start their February slate.

Brock Maschmeyer erased a 1-1 tie in the first period with a power play goal. UAA coach Matt Thomas temporarily pulled goaltender Olivier Mantha after his sophomore gave up another goal 19 seconds into the second period. Jared D’Amico was not able to provide the lift his team needed, and Mantha returned for the third period. Seawolf forwards Dylan Hubbs, Blake Tatchell and Brad Duwe all produced goals.

Hockey

Women’s Basketball Updated Feb. 7

Men’s Basketball Updated Feb. 7 Conference

Updated Feb. 7

Conference

Conference

Western Oregon

13-1

Alaska Anchorage

11-1

Minnesota State

13-4-5

Alaska Anchorage

11-3

Western Washington

10-2

Seattle Pacific

10-4

Bowling Green

12-5-5

Montana State Billings

10-2

Alaska Fairbanks

10-4

Michigan Tech

Simon Fraser

8-4

13-6-6

Ferris State

11-7-4

Northern Michigan

9-7-4

Bemidji State

7-9-4

Central Washington

9-5

Central Washington

7-5

Western Washington

8-6

Northwest Nazerene

6-6

Montana State Billings

5-9

Alaska Fairbanks

4-8

Concordia

4-10

Seattle Pacific

3-9

Lake Superior

6-10-4

Saint Martin’s

4-10

Saint Martin’s

3-9

Alaska Anchorage

7-13-2

Northwest Nazerene

3-11

Concordia

2-10

Alaska Fairbanks

5-13-4

Simon Fraser

0-14

Western Oregon

2-10

Alabama Hunstville

4-13-3

11 | CONTACTS

THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2016

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 2,500. The University of Alaska Anchorage provides equal education and employment opportunities for all, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, Vietnam-era or disabled-veteran status, physical or mental disability, changes in marital status, pregnancy or parenthood.

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

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

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

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

Requests for corrections can be sent to editor@thenorthernlight.org. Print publication is subject to accuracy and available space. All corrections are posted online with the original story at www.thenorthernlight.org.

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

THE NORTHERN LIGHT CONTACTS 3211 Providence Drive Student Union 113 Anchorage, AK 99508

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Young Kim ykim@thenorthernlight.org

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Kelly Ireland 786-1313 editor@thenorthernlight.org

LAYOUT EDITOR Demi Straughn layout@thenorthernlight.org

MANAGING EDITOR Samantha Davenport content@thenorthernlight.org

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Jian Bautista jbautista@thenorthernlight.org Inna Mikhailova Imikhailova@thenorthernlight.org

COPY EDITOR Kathryn DuFresne copy@thenorthernlight.org

WEB EDITOR Vacant

NEWS EDITOR Vacant

MULTIMEDIA EDITOR George Hyde gchyde@thenorthernlight.org

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR Vacant FEATURES EDITOR Kathryn Casello kcasello@thenorthernlight.org ASSISTANT FEATURES EDITOR Victoria Petersen vgpetersen@thenorthernlight.org A&E EDITOR Vacant ASSISTANT A&E EDITOR Vacant SPORTS EDITOR Nolin Ainsworth sports@thenorthernlight.org ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR Jordan Rodenberger jrodenberger@thenorthernlight.org PHOTO EDITOR Casey Peterson cpeterson@thenorthernlight.org

ADVERTISING MANAGER Anthony Craig 786-6195 admanager@thenorthernlight.org MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE Milo Stickle-Frizzell marketing@thenorthernlight.org STAFF REPORTERS Vacant CONTRIBUTORS Evan Dodd Jacob Holley-Kline Felipe Godoy Diaz Genevieve Mina MEDIA ADVISER Paola Banchero ADMINISTRATIVE ADVISER Zac Clark ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Stacey Parker

“Free money? No thanks.”

Said no student ever.

Apply for

Scholarships at UAonline.alaska.edu by

February 15th

Learn how to apply for UAA SCHOLARSHIPS at these free, informal workshops, featuring scholarship essay writing guidance, hands-on writing sessions, and feedback on your application essays. Workshops with a  symbol will take place in a computer lab. For all other workshops, you must bring a laptop, tablet, or a printed copy of your application essay for feedback.

u Wednesday, February 10th

6 – 7pm

UC 133 

u Friday, February 12th

1 – 2pm

RH 112

u Monday, February 15th

6 – 7pm

UC 134 

www.uaa.alaska.edu/scholarships scholarships@uaa.alaska.edu 907-786-1480

Take a survey to increase my chances of college success & enter to win prizes? You don’t have to tell me twice.

✹ ✹ nts Studeyour k c che mail for e UAA vey link sur

Mapworks is a program that assists degree-seeking students, who have earned 60 or fewer credits, successfully transition to UAA. Take it – It should take about 15 minutes to complete.

Review it – Look over your customized report based on your survey answers.

Bring it – Bring your report to your next advising meeting.

Students who complete the survey are automatically entered to win prizes (iPads, gift cards and more)!

Survey open February 7th - 28th For more information, please contact the Student Retention & Mapworks Coordinator (907) 786-6496 • Mapworks@uaa.alaska.edu

Facebook “f ” Logo

CMYK / .eps

Facebook “f ” Logo

CMYK / .eps

facebook.com/uaamapworks1

$avvy

$EAWOLF $ERIES Financial Literacy @ UAA

Take charge of your financial future!

Join us for free workshops… you might even end up with a TUITION AWARD!

Looking for VoLunteers

UAA FUSION is a program designed to connect students with the community and help local agencies and non profits for a few hours a day.

Dates for uAA fusion

februAry 11 & 12, 2016 sign up toDay at:

uaa.alaska.edu/orientation

Questions:

uaa_orientation@uaa.alaska.edu

Stretching Your Dollar February 10 March 2 March 24 March 28

1-2pm 9-10pm 4-5pm 6-7pm

RH 106 Commons 107 SU 103 UC 114

Credit... the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly February 17 March 9 March 31 April 4

1-2pm 9-10pm 4-5pm 6-7pm

The Loan Zone February 9 February 24 March 23 April 7 April 11

6-7pm 1-2pm 9-10pm 4-5pm 6-7pm

RH 106 Commons 107 SU 103 UC 114 UC 114 RH 106 Commons 107 SU 103 UC 114

Need more information?

Call: Laura Zamborsky at 786-6149 Email: financial-literacy@uaa.alaska.edu Web: www.uaa.alaska.edu/financialaid/financial-lit.cfm