On March 29th, the recently established labor union of UA graduate workers, AGWA-UAW, concluded its Strike Authorization Vote. Of 296 votes, 95% voted “yes” to authorize a potential graduate worker strike.

Negotiations between university representatives and the graduate student union came screeching to a halt last week when the university canceled two and a half days of bargaining. The university’s decision came after graduate students met with state senators in Juneau on February 20th to discuss the university’s R1 status.

The UAF AISES Chapter received the Cultural Practice Award during the 46th annual American Indian Science and Engineering Society National Conference in Spokane, WA. The award, the very first given this year, recognizes chapters that demonstrate the use of cultural practices that help students preserve their Indigenous cultures and ways of knowing through chapter meetings and activities.

On November 14th, 2023, around 3:30pm, the fire alarm went off in the Stevens Dorm Hall on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus.

The Office of Sustainability’s Food Pantry is now open on Sundays, along with extended hours throughout the week. They are open Wednesdays from 2pm-7pm, Thursdays from 1pm-3 pm, and Sundays from 2pm-4 pm. The extended hours make the Food Pantry more accessible to students who have long schedules during the week.

The student-run Traditions Board leads the charge into the thick of the fall semester with Starvation Gulch. Starvation Gulch typically takes place during the last weekend of September, and is full of events, music, and community (and bonfire) building. Starvation Gulch 2023 is September 21st-23rd, with the bonfires starting at 9pm on Saturday the 23rd. For more information about participating or the schedule, check out the Traditions Board page on Nanook Engage!

The sun may be high in the sky, but the academic work doesn’t stop during summer for everyone. I recently spoke with Hannah Woody, an M.S. student in Microbial Ecology, about her summer research project—and I’m here to tell you all the microscopic details.

On Wednesday, March 8th, the Fresh Eyes on Ice field team, consisting of Chris Arp, Sarah Clement, and Allen Bondurant, departed for a 550 mile snow machine trip. The three began their journey with a delayed flight into McGrath, before continuing on to Shageluk, Koyukuk, and finally, Galena. Their route took them along the mighty Kuskokwim and Yukon Rivers, along the Iditarod Trail, and overland through through the western interior’s spruce birch forests.

Fairbanks, AK – This Friday, March 31st at 12:00 noon, University of Alaska graduate student workers will march on campus to continue their campaign for a union. After filing a petition to form a union with the Alaska Labor Relations Agency, they are expressing their continued support for unionization and to proceed rapidly to a union election so they can confirm their choice to collectively bargain. Press is welcome to attend.

March Details:

• What: A march to show support for a union, and for proceeding rapidly to a union election.

• When: 12:00 (noon) on Friday, March 31

• Where: Wood Center, UAF Campus

• Who: University of Alaska graduate workers, community allies and campus supporters.

The Faculty Senate at UAF passes a motion complicating the process of adding classes and student government intends to challenge it.

On Sunday, November 23rd, our Nanooks split their series with the Mavericks after losing 3-2 in a close battle on the ice. Omaha was able to cinch their second win of the season on a power play in overtime. Although they may not regret scoring a game-winning goal, there's a good chance they regret celebrating it in front of the Alaska bench.

The UAF community is introduced to its up-and-coming writers at The Pub’s First Year MFA Reading. With a variety of writers from all over the country (and further), the range of content is not one to miss.

In the communion of this year’s Starvation Gulch, just one pyre-night shy of its centennial, the burgeoning atmosphere among the clustering crowds is tenuous yet voracious, one of tentative rapture, with a cloud of uncertainty hanging above underclassmen, grad students, event staff, campus firefighters, and the present Fairbanks community alike.