Welcome!

Welcome to Fall 2020, Nanooks! We know that the start of this semester has been like no other, but we are here to help you navigate through it. Whether you're a first year student or a returning student about to get back into the swing of things, it's time to gear up for a semester full of hard work and fun times, even if some of those fun times are virtual! 
September 4th Deadlines
  • Friday, Sept. 4 Deadline for adding classes and late registration; 5 p.m. in person, midnight at UAOnline
  • Friday, Sept. 4 Last day for student- and faculty-initiated drops with refund (course does not appear on academic record)
  • Friday, Sept. 4 Deadline for tuition and fee payment, as well as arranging a payment plan; 5 p.m. in person, midnight at UAOnline
If you need help with any one of those, please contact your advisor or call our main number at 474-7871. Make sure your advisor sees you, they may be busy but let them know if you need their help.
RSS Event Schedule

While many of our events this fall will be virtual, we will still have opportunities for good food and fun! Everyone is invited and encouraged to come to all of our events! That's why we make it super easy for you to find out what's going on. We put as much as we can in this newsletter, but because it only goes out once a month, there are some events that are inevitably absent. Because of this, we have an event calendar on our website. We also frequently update our Facebook and Instagram pages, so be sure to follow us! Finally, we send text messages on the day of our main events. If you'd like to receive them, just reply to this email, contact your advisor, or give us a call at (907) 474-7871.
New Advisor!
Amy Marsh

Amy grew up in Vermont but has been living in Fairbanks for more than 20 years. She earned undergraduate degrees in Comparative Cultures and Environmental Science, which reflect her love of both people and places. More recently, she earned a MFA from UAF in Creative Writing. She worked as a fisheries technician for many years, during which she was lucky enough to travel across much of Alaska and visit many villages. She loves being outside (especially berry picking), gardening, and traveling.

Who is at the RSS Front Desk?

Alazae Waghiyi
Hi! My name is Alazae Waghiyi, my Siberian Yupik name is Apaghna and I am from St. Lawrence Island, Savoonga, Alaska. I grew up in my hometown but I decided to go to Mount Edgecumbe High school my Sophomore yearand graduated there. My current major right now is Health and Human Services. I am honored to say that this is my second year as a UAF student and my second semester working for Rural Student Services!








Keesha Paul
Hello, 
My name is Keesha Paul and I am from Manokotak, Alaska which is in the Bristol Bay region. I am a second year student majoring in Social Work. I am a student employee at Rural Student Services, it is my third semester working here and I love it! I love picking berries, hunting, fishing, and anything else that has to do with the outdoors.







Esther Berlin
Hi! I am Esther Berlin, and I'm from Kasigluk, AK. I'm majoring in accounting. In the beginning of my college career, I remember not knowing what needs to be done as a student. Thankfully, RSS took me under their wings and guided me throughout my time here at the University. RSS is not only full of helpful workers but also a welcoming community, and I'm very grateful to be working with them!






Taniesha Emry
Hello! My name is Taniesha Emry. I am originally from Northway, Alaska, but I have lived in Fairbanks since 2011. I am in my final year of the Social Work program at UAF and have chosen to do my Practicum at RSS. Besides school, I am also the club president for ANSWA and have been for the last two years. I have been coming to RSS for advising and for the community since 2013 and am so happy to be here helping out.

In need of a Chromebook to get your work done?

RSS has a limited supply of Chromebooks to checkout for the semester! Please speak to your advisor about this option. 

Tutoring Services!

We hope you are having a great start in all your classes! However, if you need help, make sure to seek out a tutor.

RSS Tutoring
If you need help with either math or science, Chris Nicholia will be available for in-person tutoring at the RSS gathering room. Tutoring will be starting next week on Tuesday and Thursday, September 8th and 10th, from 2-4pm.

CTC Online
If it's more convenient for you, the CTC Online Math Lab is ready to help students with MATH courses virtually. There are two options to get help: you can schedule an appointment with a tutor, or you can "walk-in" virtually if you have a quick question.
To schedule an appointment with a tutor: click here
To "walk-in" virtually with a tutor: click here

We hav
e tons of help on campus, at CTC, and even online! There's help for Math, English, Science, or a Foreign Language. Visit the tutor page to figure out where and when tutors are available in your subject. 

TCC GO
TCC GO is offering FREE tutoring services for any level high school course (through 200 level University courses) as well as paying tuition/fees for any course taken through UAF's Alaska Advantage program.
 
Alaska Native high school students, both rural and urban, that are enrolled both in a tribe within the TCC service area and in a TCC region school district, are eligible to receive funding from the TCC GO Program.

TCC GO is a new program at TCC funded through an Alaska Native Education grant, the program is designed to increase the academic engagement of Alaska Native high school students and encourage them to pursue a career in a health-related field. While the program focuses on providing guidance for pursuing interests in health careers, their staff will work with any eligible student wishing to move on to college or a vocational program. Their academic advisors can help students identify a career pathway and work with them toward completing dual credit courses as well as participating in paid micro-internships and virtual job shadowing in addition to receiving free virtual tutoring sessions from North Star Tutoring.
 
Who should apply to TCC GO?
- Alaska Native high school students currently living in the TCC service area.
- Students interested in getting a head start on their career/technical program of study.
- Students that are college ready and prepared to meet the challenges of University courses.
- Students in need of extra assistance to prepare for post-high school career experiences.
 
Do you know a student that would benefit from their program? Encourage them to apply: https://www.tananachiefs.org/services/tcc-go/
 
Priority will be given to juniors and seniors from rural communities. They are accepting applications now.
 
Please contact Stephanie Hinz with any questions:
Phone: (907)452-8251, ext. 3447

Chief Andrew Isaac Health Center

To all of those that qualify for tribal health insurance:

Don't miss your chance to register for health care with Chief Andrew Isaac Health Center (CAIHC)! CAIHC serves Indian Health Service beneficiaries residing in Interior Alaska. This year, CAIHC will be doing over-the-phone registration, and all documentation should be scanned and emailed. If you need help with registering, make an appointment with your advisor. In order to use their services, you must register! Don't be caught hurt or sick without health insurance, register asap!

Chief Andrew Isaac Health Center's registration phone number: (907)451-6682 Extension: 3601
Scan and email documents to: registration@tananachiefs.org

Join a Club! 

A big part of college life is getting involved in things that you're interested in. Not only do you get a chance to make a difference or submerge yourself into your hobbies, but you get to do it with other, like-minded people who have similar goals in mind. Those friendships that you create may be just the thing you need to forge ahead.

Due to our current situation with the virus, some clubs may be held virtually and others in-person with a limited amount of members. Although it may be not be the same experience face-to-face, it is still a great way to connect with others and get involved in clubs you are interested in.

Here are some of the organizations we're involved with:

Aarigaa
Aarigaa is a group for students to come together to learn about God, worship, and spend time with one another.
Staff advisor: Carlton Hautala (907) 474-7871

Alaska Native Education Student Association (ANESA)
 
ANESA is a student organization for students interested in becoming elementary or high school teachers. All students are welcome to join whether or not they are majoring or interested in this area.
Staff Advisor: Colleen Angaiak (907) 474-6447

Open to students interested in the fields of science, mathematics, and engineering. They also provide members with internship and scholarship opportunities.
Director: Brian Rasley (907) 474-5029

ANSWA is a student organization for students majoring or interested in social work, sociology, psychology, human service technology.
Staff Advisor: LaVerne Demientieff (Social Work Department)
Staff Advisor: Gabrielle Russell 
(907) 474-7871

AISES is a student organization for students majoring or interested in the natural sciences, computer science, engineering, wildlife, mathematics, health fields, as well as students who intend to be math and/or science teachers.
Staff Advisor: Carlton Hautala
 (907) 474-7871

Festival is a student-led tradition that brings together artists, performers, and knowledge-bearers in a celebration of Native cultures. If you're passionate about sharing culture, running events, building connections, or just want to get involved, we want you!! Festival of Native Arts is hosting their first club meeting virtually on September 9th from 1-2pm. Sign up here and join us next Wednesday!
Zoom Information:
Phone: 1 (253) 215-8782
Meeting ID: 9543-7280-283

This is a book club where they discuss books written by Indigenous authors. It will be held virtually. On September 28th, at 7pm, they will be discussing Split Tooth by Tanya Tagaq. On October 26th, at 7pm, they will be discussing The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich. And on November 30th, at 7pm, The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline.
Staff Advisor: Tia Tidwell [email protected]
Link:  
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84646828101?#success
Zoom meeting ID: 846-4682-8101
Passcode: 26MeVy

The Iñu-Yupiaq Dance Group is a student dance club that performs many Inupiaq and Yup'ik songs and dances. Everyone is invited to participate.
Staff Advisor: Carlton Hautala (907) 474-7871

Native American Business Leaders (NABL)
NABL is a student organization for students majoring or interested in accounting, applied accounting, applied business, business administration, economics, or rural development.
Faculty Advisor: Sam Alexander (907) 474-5571

Native Games 
This is a group of students that get together to play Native games.
Staff Advisor: Carlton Hautala
 (907) 474-7871

Native Student Union of UAF
Group of students with intentions and ideas for a positive change in politics.  Everyone is invited to attend the meetings.
Faculty Advisor: Charlene Stern (907) 474-5293 

Troth Yeddha' Dance Group
The Troth Yeddha' Dance Group is a student organization that performs Athabascan songs and dances.
Staff Advisor: Gabrielle Russell (907) 474-7871
 
If you have any questions, please let us know or contact the club's advisor.
Friendly Reminder! 

Wash your hands, mask up, and stay 6 feet apart. Stay home and contact the Student Health and Counseling Center if you're experiencing the following symptoms:
  • Fever (100°F/38°C) or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Abnormal fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea or gastrointestinal discomfort

Rural Student Services Office Hours

At this time, RSS has in-person office hours from 10am-5pm Monday through Friday. However, advisors are staggering their hours at the office with working remotely. Please double check if you have scheduled an appointment, and if it's on the phone or in-person.

If you need to schedule an appointment with an advisor, please call (907) 474-7871.

You can also schedule online at:  
http://www.uaf.edu/ruralss/advising-appointments/

Office location: Second Floor Brooks Building
Website: www.uaf.edu/ruralss/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/uafrss/