Heat Is Neat, Frost Doesn’t Cost, But Ice Isn’t Nice

Posted by Eli

Weather in Fairbanks is a unique beast to deal with. The temperature ranges around mid-80s in the summer time to frigid winter colds of 40 below. Many people would question how to live in such conditions, but there are many methods for dealing with this madness. Most incoming students arrive in the fall semester. During this time, sunny days can reach 80 degrees Fahrenheit.  Remember those parkas you brought? Probably would be a good idea to make a trip to Value Village - local thrift shop in Fairbanks -  by either bus or by bumming a ride from a nice friend with a car. This is the time of the academic year to get outside every chance you can get and enjoy the weather!

However, this initial warm glow from the weather dies down around October. Here temperatures begin a gradual decline (or sometimes suddenly plummet) into winter.  There is still enough daylight that one may be confused about how the temperature can be a bit chilly. Still no need for a parka; a windbreaker or thick hoodie will give a nourishing hug of warmth on the scramble between buildings.

Once November hits there is most likely going to be a fresh layer of snow on the ground.  Now, for those of you that are not used to snow, there is nothing terrible about snow...unless of course you have to shovel whole driveways at which point snow is not your friend. The most unpleasant part of winter isn’t the frost rather the ice. Even as temperatures drop to the point of feeling that your eyes may freeze, it is easy to bundle up with layer after layer. No one will judge you for wearing long johns, jeans, snow pants, two hoodies, arctic jacket, and a face mask to class.

Ice is a difficult foe to conquer. Even the nimblest of walkers eventually fall prey to a slip on a glazed patch of dastardly ice. To conquer the ice, seek out a pair of ice cleats sponsored by the UAF Office of Environmental Health, Safety & Risk Management (EHSRM). These ice cleats are plastic shoe sole covers that add small metal spikes to the bottom of your shoes. Once wearing the ice cleats, slick patches of ice are child’s play.  No more will you sore your body, and your pride, by falling in public places with an excess of observers. As a bonus they are easy to apply and remove!

Finally, in March, warm temperatures begin to thaw the Fairbanks and the UAF campus.  Dreaded ice begins to melt, daylight increases, and temperatures rise. Breezes no longer feel like bone rippling chills but rather a refreshment of warmth.  Everything only gets better towards the end of the semester when the green grass returns and you are left with finals completed and a warm tingle of accomplishment in your heart.     

The Circus is at UAF!

posted by Lida

Gymnasts, Aerial Artists, and Acrobats galore:
If you're like me and have ever had the distant (or maybe not-so-distant) dream of running away and joining the circus, then UAF is the place for you! You can put that running away bit to the side for a few more years, though, because all of our circus groups meet right here, on campus, in our very own Student Recreation Center (SRC). So, whether your end goal is to be an aerial performer in Cirque du Soleil, an acrobat on America's Got Talent, or a contortionist in Las Vegas, come check us out!

Aerial Silks

See them flying, soaring, gracefully twisting and turning between two streams of silk. But don't just sit back and watch, there is no better time than now to join them! As the saying goes here at UAF: "there's a club for that." Our Aurora Aerial Arts club was founded just last school year, but since then it has become quite the hit on campus. Students from all walks of life, study interests and skill levels are invited and encouraged to take part; this club turns absolutely no one away. They meet twice a week in the dance studio of the SRC (Monday & Wednesday, 8 - 9:30pm). Stop by and learn the basic locks, knots, and seemingly impossible moves; or if you are a veteran of the arts, come hone your skills, spread your knowledge and even choreograph a routine with your fellow aerial fanatics.

Stick around at the end of the aerial session, and you may even be invited to join the acrobats as they practice the new moves they've seen in YouTube videos over the course of the week...

Partner Acrobatics

This bunch can be seen performing absolutely anywhere, anytime. Since they require no further equipment beyond a partner and a decent amount of trust, you can catch them hand-standing on someone's shoulders, flipping on someone's feet or just posing in some crazy position in front of some cool landmark anywhere on or off campus. From its simple beginnings as an offshoot of the aerial silks club, partner acrobatics has become a small community on campus. They are no official club at the moment, but they do have regular meetings in the SRC dance studio as well (after silks on Monday & Wednesday, and Thursday, 6:30pm - whenever). However, if those meeting times don't work perfectly for you, don't sweat it! This fun-loving group is very flexible (pun intended) and meets just about whenever, wherever outside of the regular schedule. They will work with you as long as you, too, share an interest in fun, inclusion and adventure.

But maybe partner work isn't really your style, UAF has something for you as well!

Yoga

Have you ever wondered just how those contortionists on TV can twist their bodies in such insane positions? Or maybe how someone can stay so composed and balanced on a tight-rope (or slackline)? The answer is yoga. Yoga is a great way to steadily get into shape while also maintaining good flexibility. At UAF, multiple yoga classes are offered for all students. There are beginner classes as well as classes for the more experienced yogis. We even have my personal favorite: hot yoga! So if you need a class to calm your nerves, or maybe one to get those abdominal muscles working, UAF has something for you!

So come check us out and help build our circus family!

The complete list of clubs on campus can be found at: http://www.uaf.edu/studentorgs