Gov Cup

Posted by Grace

“Let’s go, Nanooks, let’s go!  U! A! F! U! A! F! What’s a Sea Wolf?  What’s a Sea Wolf?”  These were the rallying cries of my weekend.  This weekend was the first two games of the Governor’s Cup (“Gov Cup”).  This is one of the most fun hockey games of the year.  Attending any hockey game is a lot of fun, actually- the crowd gets really into it, ringing cowbells, banging boomsticks, cheering, jumping to their feet at scores…if you’ve ever seen a football game between rival schools, that’s the level of enthusiasm UAF students channel into a normal hockey game.

So, what’s different about Gov Cup?  Well, for one, it’s played between UAA, our Anchorage sister school and sometimes rival, and UAF.  If the enthusiasm at a normal hockey game is a ten, the enthusiasm at Gov Cup is a 50!  Half the games are played in Anchorage, and half in Fairbanks.  The teams have a bus of fans that go to the Anchorage away game together.

Bus ride down to Anchorage.

This weekend’s games were in Anchorage.  We bused down in a 10 hour bus ride, in a sleek bus, with comfy chairs and overhead televisions playing movies.  We passed out snacks, taught each other cheers, worked on homework, made new friends, and generally had a pretty fun time.  The bus rolled into Anchorage a few hours before the game, so we had time to go out to dinner before going to the Sullivan arena.  The game was pure chaos- hundreds of fans of both sides, stamping and cheering.  We put on our game shirts (free with the bus ticket), slathered our faces with blue and gold face paint, put our special touches on (from tutus to wigs to banana costumes), and got settled into the student section.  The students were right behind our team’s box, close enough to feel the vibrations from hockey players slamming the glass. 

An enthusiastic UAF supporter getting pumped for the game

The rivalry with UAA is all in good fun.  Some cheers ask about the UAA mascot, the Sea Wolf, but most just concentrate on cheering on our favorite hockey team.  My parents were cheering for UAA (my dad teaches a class or two there…), and came over to sit with me for part of the game without a problem.  Both teams play well, and it’s always a fast paced game with plenty of drama and entertainment.  UAA won the Friday game this year, with UAF taking the Saturday one, both by just one point- close game!  The mascots also put on a bit of the show and there are program contests during intermission.  During the Saturday game, my sister and I entered my parents in one the contests, the Alaska Airlines Puck Drop, as a small prank.  To our shock, Dad won- boy was he surprised! 

Dad, during the Alaska Airlines Puck Shoot

This year, the students had all day Saturday to explore Anchorage.  Since it’s pretty close to finals week, I had to spend some of that time doing homework, but I still had a lot of fun.  My family went out for Coldstone's Ice Cream and I got to talk craft projects with my mom.  It was a nice bit of down time before the final crunch of the semester.  It’s one of my favorite UAF Traditions (read here for more information about some other traditions: http://www.uaf.edu/woodcenter/activities/traditions/), and I’d encourage everyone to give it a try!  It’s one of the best parts of being a proud Nanook!

UAF Photos here by JR Ancheta.

Top 10 Study Spaces on Campus

Posted by Denali and Valerie

I know what you're thinking...college is just a place to have fun, play games, and meet some great people. However, there's always school inevitably mixed in with all the other amazing activities!

School can be challenging. Studying is important, especially if you're having trouble with a class. To help, Denali and I will take you on a photo tour of campus, showing you the top 10 places for studying on campus!

10. Language Lab: ¿no comprendes?

The language lab, located on the 6th floor of the Gruening building, is a fantastic resource if you're learning a foreign language. It is equipped with computers, dictionaries, free printing, and most importantly tutors that can help you with your homework!

PROS: everybody is really friendly, and always willing to help you out!

CONS: everybody is so interesting you may get distracted talking to them instead of doing your homework!

9. Library: all dem books.

The library has a ton of places to study, and tons of resources too! With over 1.75 million items, it's the largest library in the state of Alaska! There are tons of nooks and crannies you can hide in and study (or even hibernate). After hours? The Library has a 23-hour study lounge so you can pull an all-nighter to get that project done!

PROS: Quiet and free of distractions

CONS: Quiet is good for sleep.....zzzzzzzzzzz

8. Gathering room: Located in the Brooks Building, the Gathering Room is a comfortable, welcome, quiet environment! Shaped like the underside of a kayak, it has couches and friendly faces!

PROS: You can often find some free food!

CONS: The windows allow you to see people outside having fun without you.

7. Outside: I know what you're thinking: TOO COLD. However, Fairbanks has some great studying weather in the fall and spring! And even in the winter, that cold can be...er...refreshing!

PROS: Fresh air, Vitamin D, embracing nature!

CONS: Hypothermia, frostbite, being generally uncomfortable...okay, so maybe there are a lot of cons.

 

6. Math Lab: Crunch some numbers!

This is, hands down, the best place to get help with math! The math labopens early and stays open late, and is fully stocked with tutors trained to help you with whatever questions you may have. If you just want to study in silence, it's great for that too!

PROS: Open late and early, really cool tutors

CONS: To get sustenance, you have to leave the building.  

 

  

 5. The Wood Center: Study AND socialize!

If you're one of those people who likes to study amidst the gentle hubbub of people going about their daily lives, the Wood Center is the place to go. With food readily available, free coffee and hot chocolate at the ASUAF office (remember to bring you're own mug!) and lots of events happening, this can be a great place to study!

PROS: Food everywhere, great people watching opportunities, comfy chairs

CONS: You will most probably run into at least several people you know. Can be distracting. 

4. Murie Building: A room with a view

The Murie building is one of the hidden study gems of campus. The building is brand new, with well-placed electrical outlets and a beautiful view from all the windows! There's a great coffee shop on the first floor too!

PROS: The view is beautiful and there's always space

CONS: Its on West Ridge, fairly far away from the center of campus. 

3. The Student Recreation Center: work harder.

The SRC is a great place to get into shape, exercise off excess energy, and focus. Some people find that studying while moving helps them remember everything better! And learning anatomy and physiology will really sink in as you exercise muscle groups. Feel the burn! 

PROS: You can get great abs AND full points on your quizzes

CONS: Professors don’t like you to turn in your homework covered in sweat.
(PICTURE PENDING)

 

2. The Nook:Study Nanook style!

The Nook is snazzy, new, and awesome! Lots of new computers, printing, and a cheery atmosphere! And OIT is right down the hall if you happen to have any computer problems.

PROS: Vending machines, computers, printing: everything you need is in one place.

CONS: This study zone can fill up fast!

And the Number 1 place to study on campus is...

The Bathroom: killin' two birds with one stone.

Let your studies of natural gas and the digestive system really sink in! (And don’t forget to flush!)