University Relations 202 Eielson Fairbanks, Alaska 99775-7520
(907)474-7581 Fax (907)474-6492
fynews@uaf.edu
FACULTY, STAFF AND STUDENTS GEAR UP FOR FALL SEMESTER
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 26, 1997
Fairbanks, Alaska - New faculty and professional staff are getting a glimpse today at what their colleagues campuswide offer in terms of instructional and program services, along with a hearty welcome from Provost John Keating as the fall academic term at the University of Alaska Fairbanks gets underway.
Today's new faculty orientation precedes by five days orientation for new UAF students, which starts Sunday, Aug. 31 through Sept. 3. More than 800 first-time students are expected to be in UAF's freshman class of 97, with nearly 7,000 students in all at the Fairbanks campus on the first day of instruction Sept. 4.
Students, faculty and staff are invited to a special "Back to School" 5:30 p.m. barbecue on Aug. 31, at the Fountain of Flags, complete with live music, ROTC rappelling demonstrations and hot dogs served by Chancellor Joan Wadlow and her husband Dick.
"We want students to know we're excited about the beginning of a new year and want to welcome them back to school," Wadlow said.
Beginning last year at Wadlow's directive, UAF took a number of steps to reduce the red tape students face during registration and to find out what could be done to increase student satisfaction with life on campus. As a result, several measures have been implemented and students will see a change this fall.
A streamlined process for dropping and adding classes
has been adopted, year-round, phone-in registration became available
this summer, and forms that allow students to mail or fax in their
fee payment should make registration more efficient.
The UAF fall class schedule is available online at: <http://www.uaf.edu/reg/schedule/index.html> and is searchable by subject, day, time and instructor with updated information provided regularly about closed classes, new classes and other changes.
A new Banner computer system installed at campuses statewide will eventually expedite registration procedures even more. But since the system is still new, some delays may occur periodically during this fall's registration process.
To help alleviate some of the anticipated glitches, additional workers will help out during at registration, and volunteers from the university, including Dick Wadlow, will be on hand to assure students the snags are only temporary, and to provide free coffee and cookies while they wait in line.
The Financial Aid Office will not check the academic history of students who were not at UAF last semester while they are trying to enroll for classes this fall, so delays in the awarding of aid can be reduced. In addition, students will be able to get emergency cash loans to avoid overnight delay in processing and delivery of checks.
Students who can't wait to get on-line to see if there's an e-mail message from home will be able to sign up for Computer IDs during registration at a special site set up by UAF's Computing and Communications Department in the new Multicultural Office at 108 Eielson, the former location of the Graduation Office.
Direct internet and modem access from every residence hall room was made available last year as a result of student recommendations to improve computer access on campus. Several new public computer terminals are also available this fall throughout campus as a result of student recommendations, including the new computer lab at the recently opened Inupiat House, a family style residential facility for rural Alaska students.
CONTACT: Chancellor's Enrollment Management Assistant
Sue Wilken, (907) 474-6642, or UAF Public Information Officer
Debra Damron, (907) 474-7122.
UAF News releases available electronically at:
http://www.uaf.edu/univrel/media/index.html
DPD/8-25-97/98-008
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