Facilities Services began installing a fire sprinkler system in the Arctic Health Research Building on Sept. 1. The project is scheduled to be completed in April 2003. During the installation, the Division of Design and Construction will establish an office in the building to coordinate construction activities.

Chancellor Lind invites all UAF faculty, staff and students to the fall 2002 convocation Sept. 10 from 1 - 2 p.m. in Schaible Auditorium. An ice-cream social, sponsored by the Food Services Advisory Board and Dining Services, will be held from noon - 1 p.m. outside the auditorium.

The Chancellor has appointed 14 communications officers from across campus to the Public Information Officer Consortium. The PIOC will work together to further maximize the outreach efforts of the university. For more information contact Carla Browning at 7778.

The Rasmuson Library recently announced the launch of a new web-based library catalog named "Goldmine." Check it out at
http://www.uaf.edu/library/.

The Technology Advisory Board is accepting grant proposals for "Innovative Technology and Education" and "Departmental/Specific Use Lab Support." TAB is hosting an information session Sept. 10 at 1 p.m. in Wood Center. For more information and proposal forms visit http://www.uaf.edu/tab/.

UA is seeking input on the development of the Coastal Alaska Observing System (CAOS). The inaugural meeting of the CAOS executive committee is Sept. 21 in Fairbanks at the 53rd AAAS Arctic Science Conference. For more information visit
http://halibut.ims.uaf.edu:8000/~salmon/caos_signup.php.

Lillian Corti, CLA, recently had her essay "On the Trail of Felix Pedro" published in "Voices in Italian Americana." Corti served as an interpreter for the Pedroni family during their visit for the Golden Days Fairbanks centennial celebration in July.

Dennis Stephens, Rasmuson Library, presented a program on Horace Kephart at the Pacific Northwest Library Association conference held in Missoula, Mont., in August.

The Arctic Region Supercomputing Center recently completed its second annual Faculty Camp. Participating faculty learned how to better take advantage of ARSC's computing systems in their research areas. For more information about the Faculty Camp contact Jenn Wagaman at 6551 or wagaman@arsc.edu.

UAOnline services now offers financial aid access to students, faculty and staff. To check out the new services visit
http://www.uaonline.alaska.edu.

The University of the Arctic, of which UAF is a member, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) outlining a range of cooperative activities. The primary area of cooperation will be distance-learning through the UNEP as it develops its Global Virtual University. The University of the Arctic is a cooperating network of organizations concerned with higher education and research in the North.

The Tanana Valley Campus Professional Development Program is offering a wide range of training opportunities for the fall 2002 semester. Courses begin on Sept. 11 and are offered through Dec. 13. For more information call 1163 or visit http://www.tvctraining.org.

The School of Management recently hired Craig Wisen as an associate professor of finance. Wisen will teach finance courses and manage the Student Investment Fund.

Cooperative Extension Service has appointed Lucy Bayles as the Home Economics/4-H Youth Development Agent for the Bethel/Kuskokwim district.

The UAF Bookstore and Rasmuson Library are sponsoring a banned book reading Sept. 27 in Wood Center. Volunteers are needed to read from banned or challenged books. To sign up for a 10-minute reading slot contact Jennie at 6858.

The University Relations Publicity Guide is designed to help UAF departments submit information about special events and announcements to available information outlets throughout Fairbanks. For more information visit http://www.uaf.edu/univrel/publicity/.

The UAF Faculty Senate, in collaboration with the Office of Sponsored Programs, is hosting an information workshop on classified research Sept. 6 from 1 - 2:30 p.m. in room 109 Butrovich Building.

The School of Mineral Engineering presents a Water Resource Technician Training Program for Native Alaskans Sept. 9 - 26. The program is sponsored by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and classes will be held in room 531 Duckering Building. For more information contact Godwin Chukwu at 5893 or ffgac@uaf.edu.

Anyone interested in applying for Rhodes, Truman, Marshall and Fulbright scholarships is invited to attend an information session Sept. 10 at 1 p.m. in room 303 Gruening Building. For more information contact Karen Erickson at 6503 or ffkje@uaf.edu.

The Sweet Adelines will conclude a city-wide tour of "Sing out for Peace" Sept. 11 at 9 p.m. in front of the University Fire Department. Nearly 50 singers will perform in commemoration of the tragic events of Sept. 11. For more information call Myrna at 479-3624.

Career Services is hosting the fall 2002 Student Job Fair Sept. 12 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. in Wood Center. For more information call Patti at 7596 or visit http://www.uaf.edu/career/.

"The Alaska Women in Higher Education Conference: Leadership for the New Millennium," sponsored by the UAF Office of Faculty Development, UAA Center for Advancing Faculty Excellence and UA Statewide, is being held Sept. 13 - 14 on the UAA campus. The registration deadline is Sept. 7. For more information visit
http://www.alaska.edu/heac/.

UAF's Arctic Energy Technology Development Laboratory, in partnership with AIDEA/AEA and the Department of Energy, presents the "Reliable and Affordable Energy for Rural Alaska" conference Sept. 17 -19 at the River's Edge Resort in Fairbanks. For more information contact Juli at 1929 or fnjap1@uaf.edu or visit http://www.uaf.edu/aetdl/.

The Law School Consortium, sponsored by Career Services, is being held Sept. 18 from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. in Wood Center. Regional law school recruiters will be on hand to answer questions. For more information visit http://www.uaf.edu/career/.

The 53rd Arctic Science Conference, "Connectivity in Northern Waters: Arctic Ocean, Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska Interrelationships," is being held on the UAF campus Sept. 18 - 21. For more information visit http://arctic.aaas.org.

Troth Yeddha' Week is Sept. 21 - 27. The week-long celebration is to honor the rededication of the Brooks Building as a center for rural and Alaska Native studies. The festivities begin Sept. 21 at 4 p.m. with the rededication ceremony. For a complete list of activities during the week visit http://www.uaf.edu/events/.

Lois and I vacation in Southeast Alaska each summer where we reconnect with family and friends. The short break restores our energy. We both return to Fairbanks revitalized and ready for the start of the fall semester. There is much to look forward to—and as Lois always reminds me—so much to do.

There are also many accomplishments. We're looking at increased enrollment again this fall, and we expect that after the dust settles we could be looking at a 5 percent increase in both head count and credit hours.

We hosted a housing forum this summer to explore private sector partnerships to expand student housing options. To address our most urgent needs in the sciences, we're moving ahead with plans to begin construction of the West Ridge Research Building next year.

The Brooks Memorial Mines Building has reopened. Still a reminder of our rich history, the building has emerged as a vibrant symbol of our future. Brooks is now the new home for several programs, including the College of Rural Alaska, Rural Student Services, the Alaska Native Language Center, Alaska Native Studies, Rural Alaska Honors Institute and the Department of Alaska Native and Rural Development. This symbolizes our commitment of service to rural and Alaska Native students.

Our commitment to students is part of the collective spirit of this institution. We're improving our services and looking for ways to let Alaskan students know they can get a quality education right here at home.

We know our dedicated faculty are a big reason students come to UAF. We know that because our students tell us. They also tell us they value the personal connections they make from the very first visit to campus through commencement. These relationships help our students succeed.

Efforts are underway to help more students make these important connections. Student Services' Connect program matches new students with appropriate mentors. I would encourage staff and faculty to learn more about this program and consider volunteering. Consistent interaction with students is energizing and helps sustain us as we look toward the future—and to all the work we still have left to do.