Facebook adds Inupiaq as new language option
Facebook recently announced the addition of Inupiaq as one of their official language options. Several Inupiaq speakers worked on the translations in a crowdsourcing...
One in two Alaska students tests below proficient in performance evaluation
More than half of Alaska students fail to meet standard proficiency criteria in English and math, assessments by the Alaska Department of Education and...
Red Zone: Mandatory Title IX training explained
Two years ago, degree-seeking students entering the University of Alaska were not required to complete training on sexual assault prevention. At the same time,...
University police release new safety app
The UAA Police Department has launched an app providing access to several crisis and safety resources on campus. “UAA Safe” was released on Aug....
An introduction to the fifth annual Red Zone Series
In the period from the beginning of school to Thanksgiving, more sexual assaults happen on college campuses around the United States than any other...
Anchorage Assembly votes in favor of strict plastic bag ban
The Anchorage Assembly approved a law prohibiting the distribution of plastic shopping bags by retailers on Aug. 28. It is the stricter version of...
Community and Technical College partners with institute to improve reading and study skills
The UAA Community and Technical College has partnered with the Institute of Reading Development to offer a program that would help students learn and...
New shifts in UA leadership positions prompt salary adjustments
Since last year, The Northern Light has published an organizational chart of university leadership including the base salary for deans, vice provosts, vice chancellors...
University uses firms in executive search processes
Over the last two academic years, the university has gone through the process of filling important university positions from the chancellor to dean of...
‘It’s more and it’s familiar’: John Stalvey appointed as interim provost for academic affairs
John Stalvey, formerly dean of UAA’s College of Arts and Sciences, has been appointed interim provost for Academic Affairs.
Duane Hrncir’s term as interim provost...
Anchorage assembly considers banning disposable plastic bags
The Anchorage Assembly is considering an ordinance that would ban plastic shopping bags, a policy that other communities in Alaska have implemented.
On July 17,...
Students lose sleep over increased air traffic
For Alaskans, summer is synonymous with construction, road closures, detours and other traffic inconveniences. But this summer, residents of East Anchorage are having to...
University changes union requirements following U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in labor case
On June 27, the U.S. Supreme Court voted 5-4 against the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees in the Janus v. AFSCME...
University rated with high confidence in public survey
This spring, the University of Alaska worked with the McDowell Group, a research and consulting firm, to conduct a statewide public opinion survey. The...
Estimated $5 million spent on failed UAA classes in fall 2017
UAA students did not get credit for approximately 30 percent of the classes they registered for in the fall of 2017. That amounts to...
No uniform policy stating Alaska politicians cannot block constituents on social media
Last month, a federal judge in Manhattan ruled that it was unconstitutional for President Trump to block users on Twitter. Judge Naomi Buchwald regarded...
University of Alaska will not fund emergency scholarship
The University of Alaska will not be funding a proposed emergency scholarship fund for students despite an announcement introducing the scholarship by a UA...
UAA Justice Center releases 2017 Campus Climate Survey results
The UAA Justice Center conducted a survey emailed to 10,000 undergraduate degree-seeking students throughout the University of Alaska system that examined estimates for students...
Construction on campus affects traffic
There are currently 15 construction and renovation projects in progress on the UAA campus. Projects range from an art installation to building maintenance and...
New UAA chancellor appointed
UA President Jim Johnsen announced in a press release on May 30 that Cathy Sandeen would be the next chancellor of UAA. Sandeen...
Alaska Legislature approves statewide workplace smoking ban
The bill, written by Sen. Peter Micciche, prohibits smoking in workplaces across Alaska, such as restaurants, bars and other businesses, and even includes public transportation like taxis.
UA meets several advocacy goals
At the beginning of the spring semester, the university revealed their goals for legislative advocacy, including receiving an operating budget of $341 million, protection of the Alaska Higher Education Investment Fund and the renewal of the Alaska Education Tax Credit.
USUAA president resigns, new vice president appointed
On May 9, Burris announced his resignation to the student government's assembly. According to the USUAA constitution and bylaws, the vice president assumes the vacant presidential position and seeks a student to fill the vice president seat.
Chancellor candidate forums begin this week
For more information on the search for UAA Chancellor, visit
uaa.alaska.edu/about/administration/office-of-the-chancellor/chancellorsearch.cshtml
Student media thrives despite declining revenue
Student media faces cuts with declining enrollment
USUAA members linked to meme accounts mocking university
The uaa_memes account was created shortly after Josiah Nash, USUAA student ombudsman, started a different account called uaailluminati on Instagram, which featured memes that were directed at USUAA members. Both accounts have since been deleted.
Seawolf summer shuttle service permanently discontinued
Ryan Buchholdt, sustainability and business manager for the UAA Facilities and Campus Services department, said the decision was made due to financial reasons and declining ridership.
Bill providing funding for UAA study stalled
SB 198 seeks to study long-acting, reversible contraception on at-risk women.
Smoke-free workplace bill sees movement in House committee
On April 10, an anti-smoking bill received movement in the House Rules Committee, and a revised version may be making its way to the...
How to protect yourself against identity theft and scams in Anchorage
Michelle Tabler, Alaska Regional Manager for the BBB, provides useful tips and information regarding scams around Anchorage.