Nanooks, Ready for their Close-Up!

Just about one year ago, UAF made history by becoming the only institution in the state of Alaska to offer a bachelor degree in Film Studies, in which this year has produced its first generation Film Studies majors.  As this semester is wrapping up, classes are filling out evaluation sheets, writing papers, and synthesizing their work.  This is always a reminder for me to take a step back and see how much or little I was intellectually stimulated and academically enriched.  I took two films this spring:  Cross-Cultural Filmmaking (FLM 460), and Acting for the Camera (FLM 310).  Not only were these classes full of visual experiments, it made me realize the potential we all have to share our stories through film and understand more of each other and the world by doing so.

What's equally exciting as UAF's new Film Major, is the State's legislative support in renewing and revising the film tax-incentive bill that allows for non-resident filmmakers to essentially be awarded tax-credit for shooting their film in Alaska.  For students and those working in the film industry, this is an exciting time to be involved as filmmakers will most likely prefer us locals to work with them as 20% of the newly configured 58% tax credit is incentive for Alaskan hire, and 6% for rural hire.  Starting in 2013, Senate Bill 23, as it's known as) will be funded at $200 million for a decade.

Even if you are not interested in majoring in Film, I encourage you to sign up for a class!  Trust me, the initial step can be intimidating whether you're in front of - or behind the camera, but if you have the slightest bit of interest, just know that you have to start somewhere.  Even if it begins with renting a camera from the Media Desk at the Library, taking the Let's Make a Movie class, or deciding to major in film, we all have a story to tell and if film is your medium, know that you have lots of support from the U, the State, and aspiring filmmakers like myself.

For more information visit: FilmUAF!
Read more about Senate Bill 23 at:  http://www.alaskapublic.org/2012/04/19/legislators-extend-film-tax-incentive-program/

The Geese Are Coming! And so are more bikes!

Following the moons that bring new sunshine, longer sunshine, and the arrival of white hawks, comes the moon that in Alaska is a sure sign of spring; tiŋmirrat tatqiat (pronounced "ding-meer-rut tut-ke-at" in which the 'k' is a stronger guttural sound than that which is used in English), in the northwest Alaskan Inuit language, Iñupiatun, is the way my ancestors identified with what we commonly know in some form or another as the month of April. During these early spring days, it's as if the campus and community shed winter's snow coat and begin feeding off the rejuvenating daylight that continually shines longer each day. For those of you who may have not experienced a winter in Alaska, the arrival of spring is a truly joyous and exciting time to be alive which always reminds me of the Chinese proverb: without having experienced the cold of winter, one cannot appreciate the warmth of spring. Here at UAF, there are many simple yet illustrious ways the community livens up, and if I were to give UAF an Iñupiatun name for the month of April it might be something like 'aksraligautit tatqiat': the bicycles are coming. Snow melts, revealing the earth and the non-winter biker's bikes and, ready to be tuned up to hit the trails and/or roads.

photo from Facebook, UAFairbanks

For more information on learning how to tune up your bike or if you need a hand with such tasks, UAF Green Bikes provides a self-service bike repair stand on campus and trained mechanics that are available a few times a week. There are also tools, pumps, spare parts, and both short-term and long-term rentals! Their website is located here if you're ready to put a little pedal time in during these beautiful spring days. It's a great way to celebrate spring, enjoy the outdoors and in a way that's healthy for the body and reduces ones carbon footprint. Happy trails, and keep an ear out for those geese and an eye out for those bikers - they're coming! :-)

Sage Advice

This Spring is a little different for me here at UAF. For the first time in my life, I am taking my last finals. EVER. That's right, I am a graduating Senior, and it's not bittersweet at all. It's FANTASTIC. I highly recommend 5 years of college just for this feeling. Just kidding. What I'm really trying to say here is that it's nice to see 5 years of blood, sweat, tears, and tuition finally pay off. And I think if I could do it all again, I'd take the following advice:

-Don't sweat the small stuff...and it's ALL small stuff.

-Maintain your perspective. Sometimes, things don't go exactly the way you want them to. But if you keep in mind that your education is the means to an end, you will lose a lot less sleep over that one bad homework score. Also remember that homework is a learning opportunity. Sometimes it feels like a major deal, but it's not, it never is.

-Manage your time. The earlier you can foster that self-discipline that makes you get all your work done on a wednesday night, the more fun you will have going on adventures, going to sporting events, and getting off campus to get to know the Fairbanks community on thursdays, fridays, and saturdays.

-Choose a major that is going to get you a job you want. Everyone tells you to follow your passions. I boldly disagree. Keep your passions, and remember that you will work to live. Not live to work. With that in mind, look at the JOB market. Not the course catalog. Find something you think you'd like to do for the rest of your life, and then TALK to that person. See what their story is, where they came from and what they studied. Sometimes you find the most interesting combinations of major and profession.

-Internships are key. Especially for engineers. It does not matter what your internship is in. TAKE it, and learn from it. You will find that the most important things you learn in life you don't learn in school, and often don't have a formal title.

-Find a study method that works for you and stick to it. For me, it was flashcards. I still have flashcards with organic chemistry compounds...from 5 years ago.


I think that is about all the wisdom I can muster on this lovely tuesday morning. It's beautiful outside. Fairbanks in the spring... with freedom just on the other side of finals! :) Whoopity Whoop!

From Zebras to Bacons&Everything in Between: SpringFest

...And we all know what that means! It's almost time for SpringFest!

We still have about 2 weeks until SpringFest, but I am super pumped for it already. So a brief background information on SpringFest...

SpringFest was originally called All Campus Day. This tradition dates back to the late 1950s. It's actually a lot of thanks to our past professors that we get a whole day off of classes. Professors felt that students should get a day off to fully prepare for their finals. But that wasn't the only reason. Another very important aspect of SpringFest is SpringFest Service. On All Campus Day, students participate in service projects as a way to give back to the community and UAF campus.

Over the years, the name has changed from All Campus Day to Meltdown and finally to SpringFest. As the name changed, some activities have been changed to better suit the student population. An example of that would be Mud Volleyball, which began as Mud Hockey. (Volleyball is actually one of our most popular intramural sport).

The main activities during SpringFest are Kick-Off BBQ/Dance Off, Watermelon Drop, SpringFest Service, Mud Volleyball, Concert, and Field Day. If you're interested in other programs during SpringFest follow the link below and it will take you to the full schedule.


http://www.uaf.edu/woodcenter/activities/traditions/spring/schedule/

Student Ambassador Nominations

Do you know someone who is a great leader? Nominate him or her to be a student ambassador! Student Ambassadors offer campus tours, blog about college life, help plan recruitment events, gain valuable professional experiences, reach out to students in K through 12 schools, and are the face of UAF to future college students all over Alaska. As a student ambassador you are able to share your college experience with others and promote all the amazing opportunities UAF has to offer. Being a student ambassador is a great way to be involved and encourage others to do the same.

Qualified student ambassador applicants must have completed two semesters at UAF by Fall 2012, commit for the entire 2012-2013 school year, and maintain full time status with at least a 2.5 GPA (3.0 for graduate students).

Pick up a nomination form at Signer's Hall, Residence Life, Wood Center, or go to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/6H25KMB

Anyone can nominate an ambassador so start thinking of those students who have great leaderships skills, a positive attitude, a desire to help others, and have a love of UAF and start nominating!

Inside Out: A Very Big Deal

It’s almost here, the event of the century (or at least the semester): University of Alaska Fairbanks, Discover UAF: Inside Out of spring, 2012. This event was designed to introduce incoming freshmen to college life and parents to their child’s next adventure, whether at UAF or another school. The event is one that entails everything, from talks to tours, from classes to workshops. There is even a panel of current students excited to answer questions and share with new students what the college experience is all about.

8:30 am – Check-In, Registration, and Breakfast!

Enjoy tasty treats while meeting with representatives of the different departments in the Great Hall.

9:00 am – Welcome

An overview of the day in the Davis Concert Hall

9:45 am – Students: Q&A with Current Students & Admissions Staff

Bring questions about campus life, activities, academics, and whatever else you would like to find out about to the Wood Center Ballroom.

10:30 am – Student: Class Observation

Attend a real live college class!

11:45 am – Students & Parents: Major Mania/Job Fair & Lunch

Explore the vast realm of opportunities on campus, both academic and career-oriented, at the Wood Center. Next, enjoy a delicious lunch at the Lola Tilly Commons.

1:45 pm – Students & Parents: Campus Tour

Experience the campus first hand on a guided tour.

3:30 pm – Students & Parents: Mini Workshops

Sort out the vastness of information with small workshops designed to put the student in touch with the right people. More questions can be answered and important people talked with.

4:30 pm – Grand Finale!

Conclude the day with prizes, surveys, and a picture with our loveable symbol, the UAF Nanook. Learn what to do next in order to make your college experience an amazing one!

This event is perfect for both students and parents, with a separate, but equally enjoyable and occasionally identical schedule for each. There is no charge, but a quick registration is needed. For more information, visit <http://www.uaf.edu/admissions/insideout/>. As the site says, “Choosing a college is a big decision. We can make it easy.”

Nanook Rifle Team Brings Home National Bronze

Earlier this month at the 2012 NCAA Men's and Women's Rifle Championships at Ohio State's French Field House, the Nanooks aimed and fired an aggregate score of 4661, taking home bronze and making us fellow Nanooks proud! A little late in recognizing but nevertheless a story of success to be shared, did I mention this is national success? Our university has had a rifle team since 1937, and since their participation in the NCAA over the past 20+ years have finished as the NCAA National Champions ten times or runner-up four times including a record-tying six-peat ('99-'04) - so it's not the first and indubitably not the last time the Nanook Rifle Team has been deemed a premier program and an outstanding team. Go 'Nooks!

Air final of Alaska Nanook Rifle Team member, Mats Eriksson.

Read more at Alaska Nanook's Official Athletics Website.