Hello to all new students and welcome back to all returning students.  This year is going to be a great one for all of us.  We at ASUAF (Associated Students of the University of Alaska Fairbanks) your student government have lots of great activities and opportunities for you.  Opportunities like working for ASUAF.  We have several positions that we are currently hiring for: Recycling Director, Government Relations Director, Website and Graphics Design Director, Tanana Valley Campus Relations Director, and Ombudsman.

Working for us isn't the only way you can participate though.  You can join the Senate.  We are currently looking to appoint three or four more Senators.  As well we have many, many university committees that NEED a student Representative on them.  Committees like: Circulation and Parking, Food Service Advisory, Faculty Senate, Curriculum Review, Curricular Affairs, Greek Council, Technology Advisory, KSUA Media Board, ASUAF Trust Fund Board, and many more.  If you are interested in any of these great leadership possibilities please email me (Thom Walker) at fypres@uaf.edu with the subject line Student Appointment.  

Beyond employment and volunteer opportunities, ASUAF is rolling out awesome new programs for you.  We have increased the amount of money available for student travel to academic conferences and competitions from $5,000 to $8,000.  We have begun planning two State of the Students Addresses in which we will fully disclose our goals for this year and our plan to accomplish them.  One will take place in late September and the other in early February.  One of the best new changes that we have initiated is what's called ASUAF Action Officers.  These Officers will be regular students just like you who have written a proposal to the ASUAF President to receive a $250 stipend to either run a set of activities, research a student issue, or make a progressive student effort in the realm of education, or recreation.  Think this sounds vague?  That's the point!  We want to make you be creative, and really let your mind soar with possibilities.  Look for application packets at www.asuaf.org starting in October.

We're also starting year two of glass recycling on campus.  We are the only entity in Fairbanks that recycles glass, but glass is only one of a few things that we recycle.  We are in charge at UAF for recycling aluminum, batteries, toner cartridges, and plastic grocery bags while UAF runs the paper recycling.  We are making great strides and are even hoping this year to begin plastic bottle recycling.   

Not all things are peachy this year however, as the University of Alaska President Mark Hamilton is two years into his plan of four years of tuition increases, at 10% each year.  The Board of Regents, the governing body of the University is set to vote on his plan September 14th at 9:00am in IARC 501 (International Arctic Research Center) on West Ridge.  ASUAF is coordinating a peaceful tuition protest to be held Tuesday September 14th at 8:00-9:30am.  We really need ALL STUDENTS to come and show their opposition to the tuition increases.  We are asking for one and a half hours of your time to help save you an average of $200 per student.  Please come, and bring signs.  There will be food there so don't worry about missing breakfast. 

Thanks for your time, and I look forward to seeing your in our offices, located in the back of the Wood Center next to the newly renovated Arctic Lanes Bowling Alley for FREE hot chocolate and tea.  

 Thom Walker

ASUAF President

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