September 23, 2014

SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

FEATURES

UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA ANCHORAGE

A&E

PAGE 4

Eulogy for a Kia

THENORTHERNLIGHT.ORG

PAGE 6

‘Infection’ too dramatic, but delicious

UAA VOLLEYBALL & HOWLPALOOZA

UAA fans celebrate during the game against MSU Billings last Saturday night at the Alaska Airlines Center.

PHOTO BY ADAM EBERHARDT

Turquoise Boy performs at Howlapalooza, a local music and arts festival, to celebrate the grand opening of the Alaska Airlines Center Sept. 14.

PHOTO BY JAMES R. EVANS

SEE MORE PHOTOS

PAGES 9 & 10

Club Council upholds NSLS deactivation

By Stephen Cress

news@thenorthernlight.org On Sept. 19, Club Council voted to uphold their Executive Board’s decision to deactivate the National Society of Leadership and Success. The NSLS, the largest student club on campus with over 750 members, will be deactivated for the Fall 2014 semester due to the findings of an official Club Council inquiry into the 2014 NSLS Spring Gala.

During the Club Council meeting last Friday, NSLS

founder Corey Hester gave his appeal for why the organization should remain active.

Hester said the club’s deactivation was illegitimate because of “procedural error and misconduct” involving the board’s request to see the documents that prove the NSLS was in violation of any UAA rule or policy.

According to Hester, the decision to deactivate NSLS was not done with quorum and was therefore not done in an official capacity.

Jonathon Taylor, vice chair of Club Council’s executive board, said the board followed correct

procedure in its investigation.

“We met as an executive board in executive sessions and working sessions to try and figure out, one, what all of the facts were, and two, what we were required to do based on what facts were known and were available to us.” Taylor said.

“Much of the reason we’ve spent so much time on this is because we’ve been requesting additional documentation and requesting information from NSLS to try and make sure we had all of our facts were in order. There were several emails not returned

UAA prepares for Title IX compliance review

By Stephen Cress

news@thenorthernlight.org UAA is preparing for a Title IX compliance review, expected to take place next month. Over the past two years, UAA has increased its efforts to raise awareness among university employees, students and faculty of Title IX. All departments and organizations on campus have undergone mandatory Title IX training over the summer.

To prepare for the compliance review, UAA’s departments will be required to compile all documentation related to Title IX training, as well as all their incident reports of sexual harassment over the past three years. So far, more than 10,500 pages of documentation have been gathered — 5,000 pages related to training and 5,500 pages of reports, according to Associate General Counsel Michael O’brien.

Title IX states, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”

Under Title IX, universities are required to be proactive in preventing sexual harassment, sexual assault, gender discrimination and all other issues involving gender and prejudice. facebook.com/northernlightuaa

Marva Watson, director of Campus Diversity and Compliance, is the coordinator of UAA’s Title IX compliance efforts. Watson said training remains Title IX strongest tool for raising awareness.

“We want to aggressively continue our Title IX training so that our campus community is fully informed of what their rights and responsibilities are in this area,” Watson said. “Training is still going to remain a very high initiative for us. It’s helping to increase awareness and its fully helping people to understand what is meant by Title IX. How we’re accomplishing our efforts is through training, different preventive programs, our counseling groups are exceptional, and engaging with different student groups around campus.”

Title IX investigator Stephanie Whaley said she is optimistic about UAA’s Title IX awareness efforts.

“We feel like we’re really ahead in terms of raising awareness about Title IX on campus,” Whaley said. “We’ve been able to use new methods like social (media) to get the message out, so we’re ready to showcase our efforts on campus.”

Title IX compliance investigators will visit UAA Oct. 8-9. To contact Title IX, call the Office of Diversity and Compliance at 907-786-4680.

twitter.com/tnl_updates

and several inquiries where the answers were not provided or provided in a timely manner.”

Inquiry into the Spring Gala started after Club Council received a bill from the Hilton Hotel for approximately $9,000, prompting further investigation into how NSLS handled event documents and procedures.

According to Club Council’s executive report, four areas raised concern over the NSLS’ documentation: beer and wine requests, external account and club finances, students contracting with vendors and auction

prize claim forms.

The NSLS has compiled an executive summary of the documentation that was requested by the Club Council executive board. The summary also includes the NSLS case for why the organization followed correct procedure and complied with all university policies regarding its Spring Gala.

The NSLS will have a chance to further appeal its case with the Dean of Students Office.

Club Council meetings are held Fridays at 1 p.m in the Student Union.

RED ZONE: LGBT

community at risk

By Mallory Drover

features2@thenorthernlight.org

Sexual assault and harassment are major issues for young Americans in today’s culture.

Some people already know this, but what most people don’t know is the identity of those disproportionately targeted by this harassment — the LGBT community.

The acronym LGBTQA stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender, queer, asexual identities, though the acronym is most commonly shortened to simply LGBT. This community is at risk when it comes to sexual assault and harassment in the United States.

According to a 2010 overview by the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence

thenorthernlight.org

Survey, a branch of the Centers for Disease Control, the LGBT community tends to be significantly more at risk for sexual assault and violence when compared to the straight population in America. Bisexuals especially get the short end of the stick, as nearly half of all bisexual people, men and women, have experienced either sexual violence or rape. But why are the numbers so stark?

Consider sex education.

When you were in middle school, learning about sex, puberty and staying safe, did your teacher ever mention what to do if you thought you might

SEE RED ZONE

PAGE 3

youtube.com/tnlnews

FEATURES SEAWOLF

SLUG

THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

02

Events to check out O C T O B E R

T

14

1pm A Moment For Wellness: Improving Sleep for Academic Success (RMH R.106) 5pm ‘Tutka Bay Lodge Cookbook’ and cooking demonstration with Kirsten Dixon and Mandy Dixon (UAA CAMPUS BOOKSTORE)

7pm Community Cinema Screening of “Deaf Jam”

W

(RMH R.106)

15

9am 2014 UAA Health Fair (RMH, LOBBY) 1pm Test anxiety workshop (STUDENT UNION LEADERSHIP LAB) 1:15pm Human Services Club meeting (PSB, R. 211)

R

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.

What could you do with $1,884?

By Klax Zlubzecon

Translated by George Hyde George and I sat in class that fateful morning of Sept.

17 watching KTUU’s muted livestream. It was muted because we were in class, but let’s face it — nobody was paying attention. The announcement was about to begin, and we were all sitting there, faces in our laptops, glowing with anticipation like a bunch of kids on Christmas morning.

Governor Parnell unfolded the fated piece of paper, and it read ... $1,884.

A few classmates let out a yelp of excitement. A few more visibly groaned silently. The professor snapped at everyone to close their laptops and pay attention. And when class was dismissed, the buzz was afoot.

For anyone out of the loop, I’m referring to the announcement of this year’s Permanent Fund Dividend, an annual mass payout to Alaskan citizens that comes from 25 percent of North Slope oil revenue —at least, it’s supposed to. In reality, the percentage is quite a bit lower. The yearly amount is based on a five-year average, which is calculated using a complex formula.

All you really need to know is that for the last five years or so, the recession of 2009 decreased the yearly payout severely. And now, after five years of relatively mediocre payouts, we’re out of the crapper with a payout of $1,884.

For reference, last year’s payout was $900. That’s a pretty impressive difference.

There’s a joke online that says real Alaskans plan their dividend budgets in advance.

While many are putting the PFD aside for important expenses like rent or food —

and there’s nothing wrong with that — George is going all out.

All of his college expenses for the semester have been paid for, and he’s cleared out some of his normal pay for necessities. His body is ready for the spending craze.

Unfortunately, by “going all out,” I mean he’s going for the same stuff he usually spends any surplus of money on: more computer parts, books and games. He’s really kind of lame like that, as regular readers probably know by now.

Well, hey. As long as he’s happy, right?

However, the truly curious moments come when he mentions the PFD to his friends out of state. After all, all they know about the PFD is that one throwaway joke about it in “The Simpsons Movie.”

They think of it as the “Alaska check,” a slab of money given to people just for living here. It sounds so magical to them.

And, yeah, it is pretty magical. But it’s also not quite that simple.

Yes, there’s the fact that it comes from oil revenue, and yes, there’s the fact that people that move here don’t get it until they’ve lived here for a calendar year — a factoid that’s always annoyed George’s outof-state friends. But the PFD has become something a bit more sinister, and I’m not sure that even Alaskans are aware of it.

To Alaskan citizens, the PFD is a crippling weakness.

And no, not quite in the sense that they’re more susceptible to corporate oil influence.

How many political campaigns have you counted that used the PFD as leverage?

Really think about it, especially back in the old, ancient era of Ballot Measure 1 ads, which are now dead.

“Voting no on 1 will strengthen our economy and improve our PFD.” “Voting yes on 1 will send more money back into our government and improve our PFD.” “Governor Parnell is working his hardest to improve the PFD.” That’s not even considering that there was even a little bit of controversy when it was announced that Parnell would announce the payout this year.

Also, consider this: When George graduated from high school, he almost went to college in Arizona. He decided against it at the last minute and chose instead to study at home in Alaska for financial reasons.

Could the PFD have been a deciding factor in George remaining in the state? Would I have landed on somebody else had the PFD not existed?

Would this paper be the way it is today had George moved away? I don’t want to confirm or deny it, but — well, it’s food for thought.

That’s where the state really has us, isn’t it? It’s a conflict as old as time, I suppose. The tradeoff between freedom from Alaska and the getting the PFD every year is a difficult one.

Is it truly better to reign in Hell than to serve in Heaven, as they say? Ask different people and you’ll get different answers.

The more I live here in Alaska, the more I realize how much humans and slugs are so alike, manipulating the populace with nothing more than a month’s worth of rent. Chew on that when you pick up that expensive new smartphone or TV when the check arrives.

RESISTANCE IS FUTILE.

EMBRACE THE SEAWOLF SLUG.

16

830am Alaska Law Review Symposium – ‘North to the Future: Opportunities and Change in Alaska’s Emerging Frontiers’ (UAA CONSORTIUM LIBRARY R. 307) 9am Fall Career Fair (STUDENT UNION) 6pm $avvy $eawolf $eries: Stretching Your Dollar

F

(RMH, R. 106)

855am Social Inclusion & Equity Workshop

17

(GORSUCH COMMONS, R. 107)

9am CMS Open House, Fall 2014 schedule (SSB R. 254) 12pm Alaska Native Ways of Teaching Stop Talking Faculty Learning Community (UAA CONSORTIUM LIBRARY R. 302A)

230pm Responding to Toxic Behavior in Academic Departments (UAA CONSORTIUM LIBRARY R. 307) 5pm DEADLINE: spring 2015 course fee requests 630pm Planetarium: ‘Fractals Rock!’ presented by Larry Foster, Ph.D. (UAA PLANETARIUM)

S

10am Archaeology Day (UNIVERSITY CENTER) 7pm Men’s Basketball: Green & Gold Exhibition

U

18

(ALASKA AIRLINES CENTER)

19

10am 33rd Annual Anchorage College and Career Fair (EGAN CIVIC & CONVENTION CENTER, 555 W 5TH AVENUE)

M

4pm

Bill Nye The Science Guy Lecture SOLD OUT

20

(WEST HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM)

T

21 Compiled by Stefanie Vigoren

FEATURES 03 RED ZONE: Alaska sex ed policy ignores LGBT risk THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

c o ntinued f r om c o v er be gay? Do you know how two men can have safe sex? Or two women? While your teacher was explaining what an abusive relationship looks like, did he or she touch on what might look similar or different in a gay relationship?

Sean Titus, a UAA voice and music major, occasionally doubles in the community as a drag queen named Pussy Willow LaVoce. When asked about his sexual education while growing up in Alaska, he started to laugh.

“Okay, first off, there is like no sex ed at all, because they don’t actually have a curriculum in Alaska yet,” he said. “So, it’s ... whatever the teacher kinda wants to talk about, in general. They’ll have some topics they’ll all cover, like drugs and alcohol. Basically, their sex ed is just abstinence, just abstinence for everyone.

That’s the sex ed. ‘Stay away from that!

It’ll burn you!’” He laughed.

While it’s not necessarily correct that all Alaska sex education is based on abstinence-only programs, it is a legally acceptable curriculum.

According to a NCHHSTP State Profile supported by the CDC, “Alaska has no laws requiring sex education or regulating what it can include — it has not taken the necessary action to guarantee complete, comprehensive sex ed for its students.”

When asked about his education regarding unhealthy relationships, Titus thought a moment before saying, “I think there was one tiny lecture about that in middle school. It didn’t really dig into it.

It just briefly mentioned it.”

The challenges are cultural, as well.

In America, there’s a predominant stereotype about how men feel and behave — including the assumption that men always want sex, and therefore can’t be raped or taken advantage of.

South Park did a parody of this attitude in 2006 in the episode “Miss Teacher Bangs a Boy,” in which a kindergartener

NATIONAL INTIMATE PARTNER AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE, 2010

(Ike) has a relationship with his teacher.

Concerned, and aware that the situation is a matter of statutory rape, Ike’s older brother, Kyle, informs the police of the relationship.

The officers’ reaction? “Nice.”

The officer nods in approval of the kindergartener’s sexual prowess.

Gay and bisexual men, meanwhile, face that same cultural attitude, with the addition of old-fashioned homophobia.

“It was unfortunate that I worked

HALF

Nearly of all bisexual people, men and women, have experienced either sexual violence or rape.

National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, 2010

64%

with someone who was not even tolerant,” said UAA social work major Jessica Greene, who previously worked for two years with a domestic violence and assault center. “This man had called in who had developmental disabilities, and he was saying that he was raped by another man. She turned him away because he was gay, and being gay was not okay. He never even said that he was gay. It was a

of transgender people report having experienced sexual assault in their lifetimes.

GRAPHIC BY STEFANIE VIGOREN

man assaulting a man.”

And what about lesbian and bisexual women? Can a woman be sexually assaulted by another woman? While women can be raped by women, this fact isn’t necessarily common knowledge, even to authority figures who might handle the report of such a case.

Even the same resources that might provide safety to a straight victim seeking help might not be effective for an LGBT person.

In another example Greene provided, a lesbian woman might check into a shelter after having been assaulted by a female partner. Later, the abusive partner can check into the same shelter, because she’s also a woman, therefore defeating the purpose of the shelter. If a place that’s supposed to be safe can’t even keep out the abuser, it’s a useless resource.

Titus is also on the youth council for Identity Inc. in Anchorage, and he said sexual harassment is “a huge issue” when he’s dressed in drag.

He gave an example from March, when PrideFest came to downtown Anchorage.

“I was walking down Fifth Avenue. ...

I was in drag, and I had another friend with me,” Titus said. “There were so many comments and yells out windows as people drove by. It was rude. I don’t let people get to me, but still ... it can hurt people.”

While the numbers can be daunting, there’s still hope that things can change.

Awareness and solutions are slowly becoming more common in our country today.

“Some people get this mentality of, ‘I can’t change the world,’ but that’s not necessarily what needs to happen,” Greene said. “Just to reach out to people like that to show them you care. People know what it looks like ... some dude grabbing on a girl, girl grabbing on a girl, dude grabbing on a dude, girl grabbing on a dude.

That’s not the kind of college I see us as.

We’re Seawolves. We’re better than that.

Look for it and make the change in your tiny part of the world.”

According to a 2010 overview by the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, a branch of the Centers for Disease Control, the LGBT community tends to be significantly more at risk for sexual assault and violence when compared to the straight population in America.

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force

J O I N T H E FA M I LY !

LGBT club at UAA social and advocacy events biweekly meetings. facebook.com/groups/UAAthefamily

Are you looking for LGBT community support or know someone who is?

Identity, Inc. “to advance Alaska’s LGBT community through advocacy, education and connectivity.”

OFFICE: 907-292-4528 | Helpline: (Local) 907-258-4777 (Toll free) 888-901-9876. identityinc.org.

GRAPHIC BY STEFANIE VIGOREN AND POORVA KELKAR-JOSHI

04 FEATURES

THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

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

An ode to my fallen car

By Evan Dodd Contributor

Once upon a time there was a babyfaced, poorly dressed high school boy who got his first car, and it was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.

It was a black-ish plastic Kia that gave off the distinct impression that it had been assembled in a hurry out of whatever parts happened to be within reach.

To a high school kid with a surplus of testosterone and a severe lack of judgment, getting a car for the first time is about as close as one can get to overdosing on freedom.

I drove that Kia for the final time today, having finally decided to upgrade to something with a significantly reduced likelihood of killing me.

In the years that followed the high school days, I drove that car places no respectable automobile should dare go.

The fact that I coaxed a front-wheel drive sedan up the sides of mountains, across semi-dry riverbeds and through alleys the width of my bed will forever remain a point of pride for me. I took that car to places that will probably never have roads, and across landscapes designed by the insane. Had I been gifted with the foresight to film any of this I could have retired on the income from Kia’s marketing team.

While my friends’ cars always seemed to be breaking down or being replaced, the most I ever had to do generally involved duct tape and zip ties. I once changed the blackened air filter only to discover that the car seemed to thrive on dirt and had actually run better before the swap.

My car and my girlfriend always had a bit of a contentious relationship, no doubt as a result of competing for my affection. Given that my girlfriend reads these ramblings while the Kia, sadly, cannot, I should point out that I clearly love her more than my late car — even if she didn’t always understand or support my relationship with that plastic Korean death trap.

The Kia was, at times, my TARDIS and Starship Enterprise, and at others a

flimsy rolling coffin, destined to become my tomb. Like all great things, over time she got old and gray — literally given that the idea of a carwash was a foreign concept to me.

In the final months the headlights had faded to a dull glow, the driver’s door refused to open from the inside and the engine gave off enough heat to raise the temperature of anything within a 10-foot radius. At one point I left the front bumper in a friend’s driveway as the car, in its infinite wisdom, decided we didn’t need the extra carry weight for the journey home.

That car somehow transcended the need for oil, instead subsisting on energy-dense gray sludge that science has yet to identify. By the end, the airbags didn’t function, the seat belts became flimsy and frayed, and the engine made a sound like a dying whale. When I saw her last the speedometer had topped 150,000 miles, a feat I believe entitles me to a 50 percent off coupon for a new Kia. If this column comes across as a strange man publicly professing his love for a dangerous junker, then congratulations, you’re correct. I’ll never apologize for my devotion to my car, and I firmly believe that there exists no stronger bond than that between a man and his trusty (petroleum-fueled) steed.

So let me issue a warning. Parking Services, birds that like to crap near my garage, Subaru owner in Templewood 8 that dented the Kia: Stay well away from my new car. I fully intend to write a companion memorial piece when this new one fails in a decade or two, and I’ll be fairly unforgiving if someone speeds up that timeframe.

My request for a Viking funeral pyre at sea for the Kia was denied by everyone from the DMV to the EPA, so let this column serve as the final ode to an amazing car. That little thing always got me to where I needed to go and beyond, without a single accident, speeding ticket or injury.

So Kia, rest in peace in that grand junkyard in the sky. And new Toyota, you’d better get used to camping gear and pine tree air fresheners, because we’ve got work to do.

Singles Night

Keeping the fire alive

By Jacob Holley-Kline arts2@thenorthernlight.org

College can get lonely. Incoming freshman may have an especially hard time making friends or finding love, if that’s what they’re looking for. Thankfully, Student Activities has an answer to these problems: “Single’s Night.”

“Single’s Night” took place from 7 to 9 p.m. on Sept. 18 in the Student Union Den. Employing an atmosphere that’s warm without being too intimate, Demry Mebane, sophomore biology major and Student Activities programmer, wanted to make singles and couples alike feel welcome in the Den. “We wanted the aura to be like the hearth,” Mebane said, pointing to the Den’s central hearthstone. “We’re keeping the fire alive.”

The Den was dimly lit with candles at each table, light refreshments available and students and visitors mingling in every corner of the room. Throughout the night, attendees could play poker, an offshoot of charades involving famous mustaches and a game called “Fast Friends.”

During “Fast Friends,” participants

lined up in two parallel rows. For 45 seconds, each person would talk to the individual across from him or her, then shuffle to a different place in line and repeat the process.

“I like to see people knowing people,” Mebane said. “I want familiarity to run rampant at this campus.”

To facilitate conversation, male “wingmen” and female “matchmakers” walked around, searching for those awkward silences to break and people to bring together.

“Studies have shown that women converse with other women more easily,” Mebane said. “Those studies are from my own experience ... not CNN or anything.”

A raffle was held in which homecoming tickets, Moose’s Tooth gift cards, and a confidential “Ultimate Date Package” were given away to the lucky ticket holders.

Business administration sophomore Anastasia Medeavo attended “Single’s Night.”

“We’re just having fun,” she said. “(We) want to meet new people, not somebody special.”

Medeavo was in good company as the event drew up to 150 students and visitors from UAA and the community alike.

FEATURES

THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

A series of helpful life tips for college students in a pinch.

By Mallory Drover

features2@thenorthernlight.org 1. Raise your bed up to six inches using bed lifts. This enables extra storage space under your bed for tubs or boxes The UAA Bookstore sells the lifts.

2. Re-use old Altoid cans for school supplies, such as rubber bands and paper clips.

3. Do you chug caffeine all day to keep awake and alert for classes?

If so, you’re doing it wrong. Your body’s natural circadian rhythm causes rises and falls in your body’s natural energy level.

To combat this, drink caffeine at the correct approximate times of day when your cortisol levels are low, instead of always having a Redbull in your hand. The best times of day to consume caffeine are approximately from 9:30-11:30 a.m., and from 1-5 p.m. If you drink caffeine any later than that, it’s likely to interfere with your sleep.

4. Take notes in class using different colored pens/pencils to activate your visual memory and the right side of your brain.

PHOTOS BY KELLY IRELAND

5. Want to make purchases online but don’t have a credit/debit card to use?

Put some money on a pre-paid Visa gift card and use that instead.

05

A&E

THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

06

Successful first concert at the Alaska Airlines Center

By Kelly Ireland

editor@thenorthernlight.org The Alabama Shakes took the stage Sept. 13 at the Alaska Airlines Center with opening Alaskan act the Whipsaws. The concert was the first ever held in the arena.

The Whipsaws started the night with a blend of rock, blues and more. It was an experience like none other for the band.

“We were technically the first band to play in here (Alaska Airlines Center). It’s an honor, and I think we made a lot of new fans tonight,” said Whipsaws guitarist and vocalist Evan Phillips. “It was run great. The sound was great. I don’t know if I’ve ever had so many people come up and be like, ‘Ahh, you guys sounded great.’ It was great for us.”

After The Whipsaws’ performance and an intermission, the Alabama Shakes took the stage.

While the floor was limited to those with blue wristbands, it wasn’t soon after the Alabama Shakes started playing that many were trying to sneak past security to get closer to the stage. Some made it by the ever-

watchful eyes of Northern Light Security and volunteers while many more were told to go back to their purchased seating in the stands.

People danced to the sounds of the Alabama Shakes from both the stands and the floor.

“It was loud, in a good way. It wasn’t too loud, maybe for some people, but they don’t know how to party,” said Grant Duessing, undeclared UAA student, who was working with Student Activities at the event.

Around 3,000 people attended the concert.

“It was awesome,” said concert board director Zac Clark.

On Facebook after the show, Alabama Shakes posted a picture of themselves backstage at the Alaska Airlines Center with a caption that said, “We had a blast playing in Anchorage.

Thank you Alaska and UAA for showing us such a great time!”

The concert was the first to be held in the Alaska Airlines Center, and was an overall success for all involved.

PHOTO BY ADAM EBERHARDT

Brittany Howard of the Alabama Shakes performs at the Alaska Airlines Center Sept. 13.

FOREIGN FILM FANATIC

‘Infection’ is a deliciously repulsive mess

By Jacob Holley-Kline arts2@thenorthernlight.org

If David Lynch created “All My Children,” it would probably look a lot like “Infection.” That’s both good and bad. Soap operas are a convoluted tangle of relationships and betrayal all linked by a loose narrative thread.

And when those tangles come undone — man, is it fun to watch the whole web fall apart.

The movie hits the ground running. An overworked doctor accidentally kills his patient just as another patient with a mysterious infection melts into a pile of luminescent slime in the waiting room. Dr. Akiba (Koichi Sato, “Unforgiven”) and four nurses decide to cover up their malpractice. Soon after, everyone in the hospital begins to fall ill with a seemingly unstoppable virus.

If that summary reads like a mess, it’s because the plot is a mess. The script is lacking in almost every department. Dialogue is hackneyed and often too insane for its own good.

Once the film reaches a fever pitch, characters become nearly indecipherable in their logorrhea.

What really keeps “Infection” moving is that atmosphere. The hospital itself ages as the film goes on.

Walls stain, lights burn out, the workers decay on their feet and the result is sickening. If there’s any J-Horror

flick that would incite a shower after watching, “Infection” is a worthy candidate.

But atmosphere only goes so far.

There’s just not enough here to set it apart from other, much better horror movies. Pallid green lighting and the stomach-turning red tones of the basement sequences are done right and well, but it’s clear that director Ochiai didn’t focus on much else.

This isn’t the type of movie that jumps out from closets or around the corner. It will creep behind the viewer, leaving a slug trail in its wake, and just before it pounces, the credits roll.

The climaxes recall the body horror of David Cronenberg’s “The Brood,” but they just aren’t original enough to stand out.

For a disgustingly good time, “Infection” is a movie to check out.

But viewers should keep their expectations realistic, because beyond the soap opera insanity of the dialogue and the vomit-inducing slimes and sludges, the movie doesn’t have a lot to offer.

Director: Masayuki Ochiai Release date: Oct. 2, 2004 Genre: J-Horror Country: Japan

GROUNDWORK Keren Lowell Solo Exhibition Opens Sept. 26 Anchorage artist uses sculptural textiles to explore powerful ideas

Groundwork is part of the Patricia B. Wolf Solo Exhibition Series, with support from the Alaska State Council on the Arts; the National Endowment of the Arts, a federal agency; the Municipality of Anchorage; and the Anchorage Museum Foundation’s Alaska Airlines Silver Anniversary Fund. Image: Keren Lowell, “Graph” (Detail)

Museum members enjoy free general admission. Join today!

TODDLER TIME Little ones sing and play as they learn about shapes 10:30 and 11 a.m.

Sept. 27

FIRST FRIDAY Enjoy artist lectures, opening of Brick by Brick and more 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 3

anchoragemuseum.org

MUSEUMS ON US Bank of America cardholders enjoy free general admission 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 4

08 A&E

THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

GAME REVIEW

‘Destiny’ is too ambitious

By George Hyde

gchyde@thenorthernlight.org Bungie is primarily known as the developer of the “Halo” series. Even three years after it split off from Microsoft, its staff remained loyal to the franchise that helped make them famous. Now, in 2014, they’ve delivered a brand new intellectual property for all platforms, except PC, much to the ire of some enthusiasts: the ambitious massively multiplayer online first person shooter role playing game — that’s MMOFPSRPG, for the abbreviating type — “Destiny.”

Unfortunately, while it does get a lot of things right, it often fumbles the many ideas it’s trying to convey.

On an expedition to Mars, present-day humans discover a moon-sized object called the Traveller, which gives them the secrets to planetary exploration, terraforming, longer lifespans — basically, think of a larger, spherical version of the Mono-

lith from “2001.” A couple hundred years after humanity’s new golden age, alien barbarians from space sack everything.

Only one unnamed city on Earth remains as civilization’s last stand, and it’s up to the players, known as Guardians, to bring back what was lost.

It’s an unimaginative world with cliches and tropes that players should be familiar with a thousand times over. Races have boring names like the Awoken or the Fallen, with areas known as the City or the Crucible. It’s names like these that are indicative of lazy writing, and while the graphics certainly are quite pretty, the generic nature of the artistic direction doesn’t help.

The first thing players are bound to notice is that “Destiny” plays an awful lot like “Halo.” The physics, monsters, gunplay and even the melee attack seem ripped straight from that series. That’s not quite a bad thing, though; “Halo” had several unique systems and design philosophies that helped it achieve main-

stream success, and it’s nice to see them return. It feels familiar and comfortable.

And it’s a good thing that it feels familiar and comfortable, because there’s a lot of grinding in this game. “Destiny” makes it clear that it is an MMORPG first, and the FPS and MMO elements don’t mix well at all. Grinding for experience points and levels is an absolute slog, and players who think they can jump into missions underleveled are in for an incredibly boring and slow experience.

Not a difficult one, mind — the enemy AI is pretty terrible — but enemies just soak up damage like a sponge, and that can drag out firefights that already feel far too dragged-out.

Players who were good at “Halo” multiplayer can earn experience in player vs. player matches, which play out like “Halo” fans remember, but players who

aren’t very good at it are stuck either taking on missions underleveled or grinding previous missions for experience. It’s just not fun if you’re not ahead of the curve.

Don’t take this the wrong way. “Destiny,” as a shooter, is great. The gunplay feels fantastic, and players who fondly remember the multiplayer from “Halo” are in for a nice treat. But as an MMORPG, it’s pretty terrible. The mixing of these elements was an ambitious endeavor from Bungie, but in the end, it just couldn’t happen. While it shines in many areas, “Destiny” ultimately fails in what it tried to do.

Game: “Destiny” Developer: Bungie Platforms: PS4, PS3, XBO, 360 Genre: Massively multiplayer, online, RPG Release Date: Sept., 9 2014

PEOPLE

THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

PHOTO BY ADAM EBERHARDT

Outside Hitter Sarah Johnson makes a save against MSU Billings last Saturday night at the Alaska Airlines Center.

09

PHOTO BY ADAM EBERHARDT

Right Side Hitter Julia Mackey rises to hit the ball against MSU Billings last Saturday night at the Alaska Airlines Center.

PHOTO BY JAMES R. EVANS

Singer Mikel Henry fronts the band Noise Brigade as they perform at Howlapalooza, a local music and arts festival, to celebrate the grand opening of the Alaska Airlines Center.

UAA fans celebrate before the game against MSU Billings Saturday night at the PHOTO BY ADAM EBERHARDT Alaska Airlines Center.

PHOTO BY ADAM EBERHARDT

Setter Morgan Hooe and Middle Blocker Erin Braun go to block the ball against MSU Billings last Saturday night at the Alaska Airlines Center.

PHOTO BY JAMES R. EVANS

Brock Lindow fronts headliners 36 Crazyfists as the band performs at Howlapalooza Sept. 14.

PHOTO BY JAMES R. EVANS

Singer and Guitarist Derek Mangrobang performs with the band Turquoise Boy at Howlapalooza Sept. 14.

PHOTO BY JAMES R. EVANS

Bassist Steven Cornfield performs with the band Thera at Howlapalooza

PEOPLE

THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

A UAA DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE & DANCE PRODUCTION

Books and Lyrics by Tom Jones Music by Harvey Schmidt Directed by David Block

October 3 - 19, 2014 PHOTO BY ADAM EBERHARDT

Right Side Hitter Julia Mackey jumps to hit the ball against MSU Billings last Saturday night at the Alaska Airlines Center.

Tickets at UAAtix.com & (907) 786-4TIX

UAA is an EEO/AA Educational Institution and Employer The Fantasticks is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI, 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019 Tel.: (212) 541-4684 Fax: (212) 397-4684 www.MTIShows.com

PHOTO BY JAMES R. EVANS

Bassist Steven Cornfield performs with the band Thera at Howlapalooza Sept. 14.

Right Side Hitter Maureen Sabado hits the ball over the net against MSU Billings PHOTO BY ADAM EBERHARDT last Saturday night at the Alaska Airlines Center.

10

PEOPLE

THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

11

HOT TOPIC

How do you plan to spend your PFD this year?

Ray Hidalyo

Computer Science | Junior

“I plan to spend it on college tuition!”

Chainti Purifuy

English | Sophomore

“I plan on using all of it for school.”

Kris Blasingame

Biology | Sophomore

“Video games, and perhaps some Magic cards.”

HOT TOPIC QUESTIONS, PHOTOS AND COMMENTS COMPILED BY GEORGE HYDE

COMICS

THENORTHERNLIGHT TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

12

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 3,000. 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.­­­

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

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

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

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

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

THE NORTHERN LIGHT CONTACTS 3211 Providence Drive Student Union 113 Anchorage, AK 99508 Phone: 907-786-1513 Fax: 907-786-1331 info@thenorthernlight.org EXECUTIVE EDITOR 786-1434 editor@thenorthernlight.org Kelly Ireland MANAGING EDITOR 786-1313 content@thenorthernlight.org Tulsi Patil COPY EDITOR copy1@thenorthernlight.org Kierra Hammons NEWS EDITOR 786-1576 news@thenorthernlight.org Stephen Cress ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR news2@thenorthernlight.org Vacant FEATURES EDITOR features@thenorthernlight.org Vacant

ASSISTANT FEATURES EDITOR features2@thenorthernlight.org Mallory Drover

GRAPHIC DESIGNER graphics@thenorthernlight.org Stefanie Vigoren

A&E EDITOR arts@thenorthernlight.org Vacant

WEB EDITOR web@thenorthernlight.org Vacant

ASSISTANT A&E EDITOR arts2@thenorthernlight.org Jacob Holley-Kline

MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Vacant

SPORTS EDITOR sports@thenorthernlight.org Vacant ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR sports2@thenorthernlight.org Vacant PHOTO EDITOR photo@thenorthernlight.org James R. Evans STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS photo2@thenorthernlight.org Adam Eberhardt LAYOUT EDITOR layout@thenorthernlight.org Vacant

ADVERTISING MANAGER 786-4690 ads@thenorthernlight.org Chelsea Dennis MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE Vacant STAFF REPORTERS gchyde@thenorthernlight.org George Hyde CONTRIBUTORS Evan Dodd Poorva Kelkar-Joshi MEDIA ADVISER Paola Banchero ADMINISTRATIVE ADVISER Annie Route

CORRECTIONS

deactivation destiny infection lgbt mangrobang PFD shakes singles tundra volleyball

In “USUAA meeting discusses student affairs” on Page 1 of the Sept. 16 edition of The Northern Light, we misrepresented the jurisdiction of USUAA. USUAA voted to pass Resolution 15-01, legislation that would formalize USUAA’s support for specific changes to the University of Alaska calendar. The Board of Regents has decided to implement a common calendar in the UA system, but has not yet scheduled votes regarding the details of that calendar. USUAA will help bring student perspectives to the regents’ attentions, as well as other governing groups, before that voting.

Bylaw Amendment 15-02 would alter, not equalize, the petition process; there is already equal access for all students seeking a vacant seat. Amendment author Senator Matthieu Ostrander formally withdrew the legislation Sept. 13.