Sept. 13, 2022

Welcome to Week 3!

Two weeks ago, you embarked on the adventure that is the fall semester 2022. Whether you are a new student or a returning student, you stepped into new surroundings. You learned new names, new faces, new systems, and new routines. Now, things are starting to settle in. People you sit next to in class, people you see in Zoom, and people you meet in online discussion boards are becoming more and more familiar. You are becoming a seasoned professional in the rhythms of the Fall 2022 term! Two weeks from now – that same short interval that we just clicked through – the leaves will have fallen, nights will be freezing regularly, and your daily routine and your classes will feel even more comfortable and routine. Time is flying and you are learning so much, meeting new people, and making new connections every day! Congratulations!

To add to all the learning you’ve been doing, I thought I’d share with you a bit of context about a matter near and dear to most of our hearts – the food here at the Troth Yeddha’ campus. We partner with Chartwells to provide most of our dining services. Like many businesses here in Fairbanks and across the country, Chartwells has been struggling with supply chain and staffing shortages, and they have only been receiving about 40 percent of their requested items from suppliers in the Lower 48. This has created numerous challenges, but they are working with local vendors to buy goods to fill in where possible. This will help Chartwells to provide a greater meal selection while also supporting local businesses.

Chartwells is also closing their staffing vacancies which is helping them to stabilize their hours. While we’re on the subject, would you like to be a part of the Chartwells team? I hear it is an excellent place to work. Having an on-campus job can be super convenient and a great way to meet people, learn valuable skills, and make some money. Here is a link to their opportunities. I see eight jobs listed as available right now. This got me thinking about student employment.

Here comes a suggestion or two: Do you have a job? If you haven’t already done so, consider working while in school and consider working for UAF. Many students find employment at UAF as one of the best parts of their college experience. By taking a job, you can develop friendships and a sense of belonging within our community. This connection can and often does help students to excel in their academic work as well as to feel more at home. Some students even go on to build lifelong careers at UAF. (I am a former student!) We would love to have you join the team and we have tons of student jobs open at the moment.

Also, later this week, we kick off Starvation Gulch! This is a wonderful 100-year-old tradition here at Troth Yeddha’ campus. We kick things off this Thursday with the Wheel of Misfortune in Hess Recreation Center from 5:30-7 p.m. All of the festivities culminate in the giant bonfire celebration Saturday night in the Nenana Parking Lot (across from the Patty Center).

Those are my suggestions for you. Please share with me any comments or suggestions you may have with me. You can find me at obguthrie@alaska.edu.

Best wishes to all for the week ahead; enjoy the festivities of Starvation Gulch!

— Owen Guthrie, vice chancellor for student affairs and enrollment management