Come by the Justice Center and meet our great faculty and staff! Four of them were nominated for 2013 Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence!

We look forward to meeting new and returning students! Our faculty and staff are glad to help with questions about our Justice and Legal Studies programs.
Watch for the announcement of our Pizza Party for students in the fall!

 Two faculty members and two staff members from the Justice Center have been nominated for 2013 Chancellor's Awards for Excellence:

• Dr. Brad Myrstol - Associate Professor - For Excellence in  Research/Creative Activity
• Prof. Deb Periman, J.D. - Associate Professor - For Excellence in Service to the Community
• Barbara Armstrong - Research Associate - For Staff Excellence
• Tuyet Tran - Academic Program Specialist - For Staff Excellence in Service to Students

The Chancellor's Awards promote excellence in what we do and recognize individuals and groups for their exceptional service to the university community.

So, I’m registered for a course but would like to switch into a different section. Is that possible?

Absolutely! Students are permitted to ‘section swap’ through Friday, Sept. 13 at 5 pm.  Remember that you must be switching into another section of the exact same course, and both sections must be full-semester length.

Before you can switch sections, the instructor will need to

1. enter an override in UAOnline that will enable you to register or
2. sign and date an Add/Drop form, which you’ll bring to the University Center to be processed (don’t forget your photo ID!). 

If your instructor opts to enter the override in UAOnline, remember to login to your account and register yourself for the course!  The override does not actually register you; it simply permits you to add the course. 

Do you have questions about the registration process?  Check out our web-based Registration Guide!

Like the Office of the Registrar on Facebook to receive important information about upcoming dates and deadlines!

Parking tips and services. Oh, and a zombie video.

OK, then. Now for the more routine tips.

Parking Services is just that: Parking & Services. Make sure you know your transportation options so you aren’t spending more time than necessary in the parking lots.

If you are still driving around the same lot looking for a place to park and it’s full, try parking in North Lot (behind GHH)  or East Lot (near Fine Arts)  and taking the free Seawolf Shuttle to your classes.

Parking:

• daily, semester, and annual permits available
• contact us to help arrange parking for a student club event, class guest speaker, or parking for when parents visit
• campus maps, department partnerships, sponsored events, campus safety, lot patrol

Services:

• UAA Call Team- unlocks, jumpstarts, walking safety escorts, classroom unlocks
• Free transportation advising (by appt)
• Alternative transportation programs, Hertz 24/7 & Zimride
• UPASS and VPASS for People Mover and Valley Mover, ride free with a WolfCard

Friday-itis

As the semester kicked off this week, the older students are very familiar with Friday as being one of the significantly less popular days, while the freshmen might be getting to see that for themselves as we move into our very long weekend.

Friday-Itis can be seen when students are quite scarce on campus, the usually packed halls are empty, and not very much activity is taking place. This Friday, 8/30,  is a better example of a lack of students as we do not have classes Monday or Tuesday, giving us a 4-day long weekend to kick our heels up and relax.

Many students don't take classes on Fridays,  so many of them are off the campus grounds!

As for those who are, make some noise so we can all know you are here, and make the quiet grounds more exciting and lively.

Stop by the USUAA meetings held at the student union on Fridays, or simply continue to read that intriguing novel of yours.

To all my Friday on Campus bodies, HELLLOO!

Taking 6 or more credits? Check out the UAA Student Health and Counseling Center!

You are eligible for services at the UAA Student Health and Counseling Center if you are enrolled in 6 or more credits on campus and have paid the UAA SHCC fee.

The UAA Student Health and Counseling Center offers a wide array of health care services, and does not charge an office visit fee. Lab draws, medications, procedures and vaccines are offered at very reasonable rates.

Life of a student-media student

I love school. I do. But I am already suffering from “Senioritus.” Being a student leader and role model has its perks and its challenges. Don’t get me wrong—by getting involved with student life and leadership, as well as student media here at UAA, it has opened up so many doors for me such as awesome internships and amazing experiences. And it allows me to build up my portfolio in a professional manner.

Along with the joy and excitement, though, comes its stress and loads of responsibilities.

I am a planner, so when I figure out that I will have absolutely no free time this fall semester, I freak out.

Let me tell you what I have going on:

1. Six (6) classes. SIX! That’s 16 credits.
2. Two back-to-back gym classes that leave my body aching.
    

Finish in four and sacrifice GPA?

TNL executive editor

Sometimes a person can be torn when it comes to school.

You have one side pressuring you to do the “finish in four” or be the “real full time,” and the other side pressuring you to have a great GPA and go for the honor of being Summa Cum Laude or Magna Cum Laude. Add having to work on top of that and many have no choice but to choose one over the other.

I personally chose the route of going for the great GPA and finishing in five instead of four. Taking only four of five classes at a time gave me the ability to get the work done, focus on my extracurricular activities, and stay sane. Now that I am starting my fourth year of school, I am starting to grow weary, my sanity is running out, and I honestly just want to be done already. Looking back I wish that I had focused on completing school as fast as possible instead of keeping a high GPA.

While my GPA has gotten me into honor societies, I haven’t seen

Guide to meeting new people (from someone who's been there)

Good morning, buenas dias, and 'top a the morning' to you folks,

The 2013-2014 school year is upon us—new books, new teachers, and plenty of new bright-eyed, bushy-tailed faces to meet.

Before I decide to transfer to the University of Alaska Anchorage, I was on the road to Minnesota State University Moorhead, and after 600 miles of driving, and 12 hours of smelling my brother's gas, I was head first out of the car. Thankfully, there were no injuries in the process.

I’d like to think that this university never knew what they got into when they accepted me. 

Back in Moorhead, I was a gutsy freshman. At every meal, I sat with a different person, just to meet

WolfCard = Library Card

Have you gotten your WolfCard yet? The WolfCard is your key to success at the Library. You’ll need it to access many of the resources and services the Library has to offer, such as borrowing materials, printing and copying, placing holds, etc.

Every semester your WolfCard also comes with a $12 printing allocation that you can use with any of the research computer printers on the first or second floor. Be sure to use up the allocation because the funds do not carry over to the next semester. You can always add more money to your WolfCard by calling or visiting the WolfCard office or by using one of the four Value Transfer Stations

TLC for UAA Alumni, and a new, more visible home on campus

Rachel has her MBA from UAA.

Welcome back students! The campus has been quiet without you (though the parking plentiful).

This year we continue to strengthen our alumni programming, in part by connecting alumni to you—our future alumni.

Once again we will be supporting a variety of Homecoming activities—Acapella Festivella, the shopping cart parade, Good Morning Seawolves and more.

Between the Library and Kaladi

This fall we will be moving to the UAA/APU Consortium Library to join Mainstreet UAA. Not only we will be easier for alumni to find, but we should be right in the center of

DO: Save time with Cornell-style notes

Note-taking tips from Cornell

Taking notes is an arduous accompaniment to time spent in class. Take better notes with this simple trick to compartmentalize information on paper.

Start with a blank sheet of notebook paper. I use spiral notebooks with rings at the top of the page. Divide each new page with a line vertically, an inch to the right of the margin. At the top of the page, draw a line horizontally a half an inch above the top line of the page.

The basic idea is dividing the body of each page into two columns, with a space up top for class info. Whatever note-taking method you are comfortable with

gets written in the fat column. Additional details, questions, or vocabulary get jotted down in the skinnier left column.

It can also be a good idea to mark off a space at the bottom of the page to summarize the information from that page of notes. Having space to doodle is kind of liberating too.

Sound too complex? Take it from me that it works better than pouring over months old insomnia-induced chicken scratch. See the image larger by clicking here.

Read about it from the pros over at Cornell. (PDF)

Come visit the Library!

Christie is an electronic resources librarian.

Welcome back to campus, everyone! Here at the UAA/APU Consortium Library we’ve been working hard all summer to bring you some great new services, space and resources. Whether you need to study quietly, meet with a group or get research help, the Library is here to help you succeed.

If you are new to campus, we hope you’ll get a chance to visit the Library as soon as possible. A great way to familiarize yourself with the Library is to take a half hour self-guided audio tour. You can check out the audio tour and earphones from the Circulation Desk or download the audio files to your own device. Got a smart phone and your own headphones? Skip the Circulation Desk and explore all three floors of the Library at your own pace by scanning the QR codes at each stop.

Stay tuned for more tips and features about the Library. We look forward to seeing you soon. Have a great semester!

Best #uaakickoff photo takes the (pizza) pie!

High five!

Congrats to Jilene Galle (Instagram user @alaska_chick92) for posting our favorite #UAAKickoff photo this weekend!

Who was the Green & Gold (literally) Guy?

Shots coming from Res Life events, shortly. 

I was on a waitlist. Now that classes have begun, what do I do?

Waitlisting is turned off the first day of the semester, Monday, Aug. 26, today in fact.  This means you cannot add yourself to a fall waitlist from Aug. 26 forward.  If you previously added yourself to waitlist but a seat didn’t open up, read on!   

If you’re hoping to add a course to your schedule, be sure to go to class on the first day and chat with the instructor.  She or he may allow you to register for the course.  If so, the instructor can:

1. Enter an override in UAOnline that permits you to register for the course.  Once that override has been entered, you can login to your UAOnline account and register for the class.  Just enter the 5-digit Course Reference Number (CRN) on the Register/Add/Drop Classes page and click Complete Registration Changes.
2. Sign and date an Add/Drop form (PDF) to grant you permission to register.  Your Add/Drop form must be brought to the University Center (UC) to be processed before 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 6.  Remember to bring your photo ID with you to the UC!

Do you have questions about the registration process?  Check out our web-based Registration Guide!

Like the Office of the Registrar on Facebook to receive important information about upcoming dates and deadlines!

Check out UAA's Legal Studies offerings

Link to larger version below.

Thinking about a career in the legal field? Check out our Legal Studies program!

• All of the Justice Center Legal Studies Program Options have been approved by the American Bar Association (ABA):
• Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies
• Legal Studies Minor
• Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies
• Legal Nurse Consultant (LNC) Paralegal Certificate
• Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Paralegal Studies
• Earn Pro Bono Service Honors by Volunteering with a Legal Aid Agency

The Legal Studies Program at UAA and the Paralegal Studies Program at UAF are the only American Bar Association approved programs in Alaska. Click here for a large version of poster.

Shopping lists and fun in the carts

Check out the late night shopping spree to Fred Meyers for BTC essentials. Who knew shopping could be this much fun? A few pics posted @uaanchorage on Facebook. #kickoff #uaawelcome

This looks vaguely like a famous Russian dance.

Have you been to The Howl?

That's UAA's new social media hub, hashtag city. The photos and posts are fun to watch roll out. If you can't do every single thing during Welcome Week and KickOff, you can get the feel and flavor here. And what you do, you can share. #uaakickoff #uaawelcome

UAA Volleyball v UAA Alumni: It was decisive!

Congratulations to Seawolf Volleyball. As the goseawolves.com headline put it, they "blanked" the Alumni. Sorry Alums, but thanks for being there!

Mark your calendar for the SpringHill Suites Invitational in early September. Till then, these lucky spikers are off to Hawaii. Here's their sked
coming up:

UAA begins the regular season next week with a trip to the Aloha State for matches against 5th-ranked Brigham Young-Hawaii (Thur., Aug. 29), Chaminade (Fri., Aug. 30) and Hawaii-Hilo (Sat., Aug. 31). The Seawolves kick off their home schedule with the annual SpringHill Suites Invitational, Sept. 5-7 at the WFSC.

UAA 2013 Kickoff photo albums posted on Facebook

We hope you enjoy these. And we hope to post more from Residential Life and from YOU. Post and tag your photos to Twitter and we'll share them. #uaakickoff #uaawelcome

2013 UAA Kickoff Album One

2013 UAA Kickoff Album Two

Share your photos today #uaakickoff

Here are some snaps from UAA's Ted Kincaid from the dorms and set up at Cuddy Quad. Feel free to share yours on Twitter and Facebook at, oh..... #uaakickoff, or  #uaawelcome. Have a great KickOff!

DIY success: Managing the BTC jitters

Back from NYC!

Being nervous for the first day of school is a normal feeling and
can cause some stress when thinking about hitting the books, especially as summer comes to an end. Here are some ways that I have found that can help with being less stressed and overall more successful in your studies.

• Print your class schedule, class syllabi, and campus map ahead of time – and study them.  This way you will be able to easily navigate your way to class, and not be that person who is 15 minutes late and everyone stares at.  You can find UAA maps here.
• Keep a weekly schedule of your assignments and tasks for each class. You can update your electronic device to remind you of what is due each week, or even just keep a simple paper pocket calendar to make sure that you keep on track. 
• Remember to make time for yourself.  Staying focused on your studies is a priority, but so is staying healthy and happy. Getting enough sleep will benefit your health overall, so try to budget 8

Cookies? That's so nice!

Need a cup of joe and something a little sweet? The UAA One Stop at the University Center will be hosting coffee and cookies the first two weeks of school.

Just remember, what ever the beginning hiccups you encounter, you can work them out. Get yourself a great education, and a few cookies along the way.

TNL Photo Editor Tim Brown has some BTC advice

He'll be the guy with the camera.

Welcome back to College, a dilute version of real life that is twice as expensive with half the calories. My name is Tim, I am a 23-year-old playboy manbaby and Photo Editor at the Northern Light Newspaper. Accept me as the safari guide to your first few weeks of the fall semester and absorb the bitter spice of my early 20s, ready-to-be-done-with-college, perspective.

If you are just starting school,  you are no doubt wracked with the pressure and indecision associated with picking what you want to do ‘for the rest of your life.’ While the decisions you make today are important, I can say from experience that keeping a cool head at all times will do you no wrong.

I need to add a course to my schedule. What are my options?

Got her MBA at UAA last fall!

If you want to add a course but it’s already full, be sure to attend the first day of class and chat with the instructor.  She or he may be willing to let you into the class.  The instructor can enter an override in UAOnline that allows you to register yourself or sign an Add/Drop form (PDF).  The completed form must be brought to the University Center for processing before 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 6.  Don’t forget your photo ID!

UAOnline is the best place to view the most up-to-date course schedule information.  You can use the Class Schedule Search to locate late starting classes or courses with available seats.  Simply login to UAOnline, click on Student Services & Account Information, then Registration, and finally Class Schedule Search.  Select Fall Semester 2013 and then use the advanced search feature near the top of the page.

• Looking for a late starting class?  Select UAA Main Campus Partial Term from the Part of Term section before searching.
• You can also search by subject and review your search results for courses with open seats.  You can add an open course to your schedule in UAOnline through September 2nd.  Beginning September 3rd, you’ll need faculty permission to register, even if the class has available seats. 

Justice faculty will be at our booth at KickOff today

The Justice Center will be at the 2013 Campus Kickoff on Saturday, August 24, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on the Cuddy Quad.  Faculty members will be at the Justice Center booth to speak with students about our courses and options, including the new Legal Studies program.

This year's Campus Kickoff features food, information booths, prizes, and live entertainment. Don't miss "Butt Sketcher" - the original butt sketch artist, and the tunes of  "Buckwheat Zydeco"!  See you there!

Welcome back students, staff and faculty! Meet your bloggers.

Happy Birthday, TNL!

This  blog celebrates the launch of a fresh new school year, and the amazing fact that The Northern Light student newspaper has turned 25! TNL and UAA Advancement are co-hosting this cyber journal in honor of TNL's milestone birthday.

Heck, some of the reporters weren't even born when the paper began. For a state as young as Alaska, that's some serious history. Hence, our blog design is a nod to the gritty, pencil-pocked life of the Reporter in our not-yet-post-journalism era. Long live the journalist! Keep reading to find out who your back-to-campus correspondents are.