Halloween Fun Night with Justice Club and Pre-Law Society

Haunted Halloween Fun Night was held Saturday, October 26  for kids ages 2-12 at the UAA Student Union. Justice Club and the Pre-Law Society were among the student clubs that had booths at this free event open to the public.The evening included carnival games, trick-or-treating, and a haunted house.

L to r: Justice Club president Isabella Forshee and treasurer
Ashleigh Radvansky

L to r: Pre-Law Society members -
Camilla Hussein-Scott, vice-president; Aleta Duncan;
Anna Marquez, president.

The event is sponsored by Student Clubs & Greek Life, Student Union and Commuter Student Services, and Kaladi Brothers Coffee.  See more photos below.

Crime Prevention class students assist with UAA Safety Walk

Dr. Sharon Chamard, Justice Center faculty, and students from Dr. Allan Barnes' JUST 320 Crime Prevention class participated in the UAA Safety Walk, held on October 17.

L to r: Maggie Spears, Dr. Sharon Chamard,
Daniel Reinhard, and James Reich.

The Safety Walk is done annually in October, ideally before there is snow on the ground, so that exterior lighting conditions can be assessed when the campus is at its darkest.

Four teams fanned out across campus and to UAA buildings off-campus with the task of identifying particularly dark and fear-inducing areas, and testing UAA's many blue light emergency phones.

The UAA Safety Walk is coordinated by Facilities & Campus Services and the Environmental Health & Safety/Risk Management Support Department.

Governor refers to Justice Center Alaska Victimization Survey data in Alaska Dispatch

Governor Parnell cited Alaska Victimization Survey data in an article, "Governor speaks against violence: 'Traditional family values are Alaska values,'" in the Alaska Dispatch on October 17.

Justice faculty invited to Law and Society retreat

Prof. Jason Brandeis, J.D. and Dr. Cory R. Lepage, Justice faculty, were among the law and society scholars affiliated with West Coast U.S. and Canadian institutions invited to attend the Fifth West Coast Law and Society Retreat at the University of Washington in Seattle in September. 

The purpose of the retreat was to discuss: (1) substantive questions emerging at the leading edges of the law and society field, (2) the state of the field as an academic discipline, and (3) the role of law and society scholarship in identifying and shaping dialogue around new legal challenges. 

Dr. Rivera talks to East High criminology class - she is an East High alum!

L to r: East High School instructor Charlotte Hansen and
Dr. Marny Rivera.

Dr. Marny Rivera, Justice faculty, recently spoke to the criminology class at East High School taught by instructor Charlotte Hansen.  Dr. Rivera is an alum of East High and was delighted at being invited to talk to the juniors and seniors about topics in criminology and the programs at the Justice Center.

Dr. Rivera discussed approaches to understanding criminal behavior, the juvenile justice system, types of juvenile offenders, and the need for research in these areas.

Students participate in mock law school course on contracts

Dean Bridgeman explains a point of contract law.

Students interested in law school had the opportunity to attend a mock law school course on contracts at UAA on October 24.   Dean Curtis Bridgeman of Willamette University College of Law explained how law school courses are structured and taught, and then began discussion of a classic case in the law of contracts.  Students read a copy of the case prior to class.
  
An award-winning professor and leading scholar on contracts and commercial law, Dean Bridgeman brought the experience of a law school course to life using the Socratic method of teaching. Following the class, Dean Bridgeman answered questions from students about the law school admission process, cost of a law school education, and career options.

Prof. Deb Periman, J.D., Justice faculty, coordinated the event.

L to r: Dr. Cory R. Lepage and Prof. Deb Periman, J.D., Justice faculty; Dean Curtis Bridgeman and Michael Bennett,
Director of Development & Alumni Relations, Willamette University College of Law

Two Justice majors author op-ed piece on our two-party system for The Northern Light

Simona Gerdts and Kristen Speyerer, Justice majors, are the authors of an op-ed piece, "We the people: An apology to our founding fathers," in the October 15 issue of the student newspaper, The Northern Light.

The piece discusses the current impact of the two-party political system on the functioning of federal government, the increasing apathy of the electorate, and the need to revitalize citizen participation in our democracy.

Both individuals are students in the course, Development of Law, taught by Prof. Jason Brandeis, J.D., which examines the development of law in the U.S. from colonial times to the present, constitutional history and the role of the courts, the legislature, and the executive branch in the law making process.  The focus on these topics helped inspire the students to address current law making issues in their op-ed piece.

The authors explained the background of the piece as follows:

"Professor Brandeis was wrapping up a unit on the principles of constitutionalism, just as our government was approaching stagnation. Inspired by our newfound knowledge about the intended functionality of our government and a deeper appreciation for the forethought exhibited by the framers of our Constitution, we decided to draft a document of our own. We applied the old adage, 'What would your father(s) think if he could see you now?,'  to a  larger context, specifically to the apathetic state which has left much of this nation paralyzed. In the end we were left with only one conclusion: Our Founding Fathers deserve nothing less than an apology.

Our intent was not to incite political debate, but rather to remind our fellow citizens of just how powerful our collective voice can be, as long as we do not allow the political polarization within our government to continue seeping into our lives as individual citizens. We are not experts, but we are aspiring to a life in civil service in hopes of keeping this nation great for future generations of Americans to enjoy. "

Great turnout for Law School Fair and events in September at UAA

 L to r: Susan Lee, Director of Admissions,
Gonzaga University School of Law, and
Prof. Deb Periman, J.D., UAA Justice Center

Over 20 law schools participated in the Law School Fair held at UAA on September 20 at the UAA Student Union.

In addition to the fair, there were a number of other events for students interested in applying to law school:

• an "Admissions/Financial Aid" panel
• a presentation on "How to Succeed in the Law School Admission Process" 
• an "Alaska Color of Justice for College Students" event which featured "MentorJet: A Speed Mentoring Experience" 

Prof. Deb Periman, J.D., Justice Center faculty, worked closely with the law school representatives coordinating these events for students considering law school.

Prof. Knudsen is faculty responder for CAFE debate October 30 on the state's obligation to prevent climate change

Prof. Kristin Knudsen, J.D., Justice faculty, will be a member of the faculty response panel for the  Center for Advancing Faculty Excellence & the UAA/APU Difficult Dialogues Initiative sponsored debate on: "Does the state have an obligation to act to prevent climate change?"  The UAA Speech and Debate Team will argue this issue.


Day: Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Time: 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Location: UAA/APU Consortium Library, LIB 307
Free and open to the public

The State of Alaska is an oil-exporting state, and one which is experiencing the effects of climate change more severely than most.

• Does it have an obligation to take actions to prevent the effects of climate change on its own citizens?  
• On citizens elsewhere? 

 The event features the award-winning UAA Speech and Debate Team, a faculty response panel, and a facilitated public discussion.  Members of the faculty response panel include Prof. Knudsen; Toby Schwoerer, Institute for Social and Economic Research; Paul Ongtooguk, School of Education; and Ray Anthony, Philosophy Department.

This program is part of a series of debates and discussions sponsored by the UAA Center for Advancing Faculty Excellence since 2003 to offer the Anchorage community access to university resources as a basis for discussions of policies and issues affecting its future.

For more information, contact eroderick@uaa.alaska.edu or 786-4605.

Dr. Everett moderates discussion at Loussac Library on how the media shapes our reality of the justice system

L to r: Christin Gheen, UAA/APU Books of the Year Coordinator;
Dr. Ron Everett, UAA Justice Center; Rayette Sterling, Adult Services
Coordinator Librarian; Bill Hall, Let's Talk Anchorage.

Dr. Ron Everett, Justice faculty, moderated the discussion for "How Does the Media Shape Our Reality of the Justice System" on October 15 at the Loussac Library.

About a dozen people participated in the conversation which focused on understanding the influence of the media, and how the media can give rise to misperceptions about crime, criminals, victims, and the operation of the criminal justice system.

This event  is part of the Conversation Salon Series: "Information Is Not Knowledge: How Media Influences Our Reality," co-hosted  by UAA/APU Books of the Year,  the Anchorage Public Library, and Let's Talk Anchorage.  The discussions in this series are based on Brooke Gladstone's book, The Influencing Machine.

Let's Talk Anchorage is a local group interested in encouraging civic dialogue at the library.

Conversation Salon Series discussions are held every third Tuesday of the month, from October to May 2013, in the Ann Stevens Room of the Loussac Library.   The sessions are not presentations, but opportunities for attendees to discuss issues relevant to themselves and the community. For more information contact Rayette Sterling at 343-2856.

Pre-Law Society - no meeting this Friday

The Pre-Law Society will not be meeting this Friday.  Instead, members are invited to attend the  Club Council Meeting at 1:00 p.m. in the South Cafeteria, UAA Student Union.

Please sign up to volunteer for the Haunted Halloween Fun Night on Saturday, October 26.
Click here for the sign-up sheet.

Questions? Contact Anna Marquez, Pre-Law Society President.

Dr. Chamard makes presentation on relationship between education and crime to Partnership for Public Education

Dr. Sharon Chamard, Justice Center faculty, and Anchorage Police Department Sgt. Derek Hsieh, president of the Anchorage Police Department Employees Association, made a presentation on October 16 to the Partnership for Public Education on the relationship between education and crime.

Dr. Chamard and Sgt. Hsieh presented data on:

• the effects of increasing average educational attainment and high school graduation rates on arrests, and
• the savings to Alaska if the high school graduation rate for males were increased by a small percentage. 

Click here for Dr. Chamard's PowerPoint presentation.

The Partnership for Public Education is a coalition of dozens of Alaska business, community, and education organizations.   Their draft goals and values statement includes the following:

 "The Partnership for Public Education is a partnership of dozens of Alaskan business, community and education organizations. We value Alaska’s decades of investment in public education.  We believe that an informed Alaska Legislature is a critical component of successful education policy. We support strong data to underscore our schools’ strengths and challenges; creative initiatives to improve education; and an ongoing dialogue involving all Alaskans to support a single educational system."

Pizza and mass advising at the fall pizza party for students

Justice and Legal Studies students and faculty enjoyed Moose's Tooth pizza and other goodies at the Fall 2013 Pizza Party on October 17 at the Justice Center.

Dr. Marny Rivera, Justice Undergraduate Program Coordinator, used the event as an opportunity for "mass advising" about some changes in the curriculum.  Students also heard about the activities planned by Justice Club, the Pre-Law Society, and Alpha Phi Sigma National Criminal Justice Honor Society, and had a chance to sign up for membership.

Don't miss the slideshow below!

Try out a law school contracts class on October 24!

Thinking of law school? Attend a law school contracts class with Dean Curtis Bridgeman of Willamette University College of Law and discuss a classic case in the law of contracts!

Date: Thursday, October 24
Time: 2:30 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Place: ARTS 117, UAA Campus
Open to all interested students.

The materials for the case are available in advance - call the UAA Justice Center at 786-1810.

Experience how a law school class is taught and join us for a question and answer session about law school and legal careers.  Prof. Deb Periman, J.D., Justice faculty, is coordinating this event.

For more information, call the Justice Center at 786-1810.

Dr. Myrstol interviewed by KTUU about domestic violence and sexual assault case processing project

Dr. Brad Myrstol, Justice faculty and director of the Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center (AJSAC) was interviewed August 23 by Cory Allen-Young of KTUU about the new AJSAC research initiative called the Alaska Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Case Processing Project.



This collaborative project with the Alaska Department of Public Safety, the Alaska Department of Law, and the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Juvenile Justice, is supported by a recent research grant award in the amount of $79,000 from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics.

The primary objective of the project is to empirically document the criminal justice case processing and outcomes of sexual assault, sexual abuse of a minor, and domestic violence cases in the state of Alaska. In coming years, Dr. Myrstol intends to expand the project to include additional Alaska police agencies.

The AJSAC is housed at the UAA Justice Center. For more information about AJSAC research projects and publications, please visit the AJSAC website.  

5th Annual Women in Law Enforcement Recruitment Fair a great success!

The 5th annual Women in Law Enforcement Recruitment Fair sponsored by the Women Police of Alaska (WPA) was held on October 2, 2013 at the UAA Student Union and attracted numerous UAA students interested in law enforcement career opportunities. Women, and also a number of men, attended the fair to talk to federal, state, and local law enforcement agency representatives. Exhibitors included:

• Alaska Air National Guard
• Alaska State Troopers
• Anchorage Airport Fire & Police Dept.
• Anchorage Police Dept.
• Fairbanks Police Dept.
• Juneau Police Dept.
• Seward Police Dept.
• State of Alaska Dept. of Corrections
• U.S. Air Force Reserve Recruiting
• U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Law Enforcement
• U.S. Marshals Service
• Women Police of Alaska

Explosives Detection K-9 "Elvis" from the Anchorage Airport Police & Fire Department attended the event. For photos of K-9 "Elvis" and other participants and attendees, see our slideshow below.

The event was presented with the support of the Alaska State Troopers, the Alaska Association of Chiefs of Police, and the UAA Justice Center. Dr. Brad Myrstol was the faculty liaison for this program.

Recent media reports of Alaska Victimization Survey data for Ketchikan

The recent release of Alaska Victimization Survey estimates of intimate partner violence and sexual violence experienced by adult women in the Ketchikan Gateway Borough has been noted in a number of media reports.

The survey was designed to measure the lifetime and past year exposure to sexual violence and intimate partner violence. It was conducted from April to July 2013 in the Ketchikan Gateway Borough through a contract with the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (CDVSA). Respondents were randomly selected by phone (using both land lines and cellphones).

Links to the media reports are below:
"Violence survey alarms" by Andrew Sheeler (Ketchikan Daily News, 17 October 2013).

"Half of Ketchikan women experienced violence," by Leila Kheiry (KRBD Ketchikan FM, 16 October 2013).

"Suffering exposed: Alaska's women speak up about violence, abuse" by Jill Burke (Alaska Dispatch, 16 October 2013).

Justice faculty present at statewide retreat for Alaska Department of Law personnel

Professors Deb Periman, J.D., Kristin Knudsen, J.D., and Ryan Fortson, J.D., Justice faculty, provided continuing education presentations at the recent Alaska Department of Law Statewide Retreat in Anchorage.  The two-day program included training for attorneys, paralegals, and other professional staff.

Prof. Fortson spoke about  issues involving "Evidence and Trial Process;" Prof. Knudsen discussed techniques for  "Advanced Legal Research;" and Prof. Periman outlined standards and strategies for effective "Legal Writing."

Alaska Victimization Survey results show that half of adult women in Ketchikan Gateway Borough have experienced intimate partner violence or sexual violence or both

The results of the 2013 Alaska Victimization Survey for the Ketchikan Gateway Borough were released on October 15 at 12 noon in Ketchikan.  The troubling numbers show that:

• 50% of adult women in the Ketchikan Gateway Borough have experienced intimate partner violence, sexual violence or both, in their lifetime;
• 9% have experienced intimate partner violence, sexual violence or both, in the past year;
• More than 3 out of every 10 adult women in the Ketchikan Gateway Borough have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime; and 
• More than 4 out of every 10 have experienced intimate partner violence in their lifetime.

The survey was designed to measure the lifetime and past year exposure to sexual violence and intimate partner violence. It was conducted from April to July 2013 in the Ketchikan Gateway Borough through a contract with the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (CDVSA). Respondents were randomly selected by phone (using both land lines and cellphones).

Details of the survey are available at: http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/justice/avs/

• Summary document
• PowerPoint presentation

More Information:
For more background on this project, visit http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/justice/avs/
For more information about CDVSA, visit http://www.dps.state.ak.us/CDVSA/
For more information about resources in the Ketchikan Gateway Borough, visit Women in Safe Homes at http://www.wishak.org/

Below are links to media coverage of this event:

• "Ketchikan Meeting Scheduled for Release of Data from Alaska Victimization Survey" (SitNews, 14 Oct 2013).
• "Alaska Victimization Survey" by Diane Gubatayao (letter to the editor) (SitNews, 14 Oct 2013).
• "Half of Ketchikan women experienced violence" by Leila Kheiry (KRBD Ketchikan FM Community Radio for Southern Southeast Alaska, 16 Oct 2013).
• "Suffering exposed: Alaska's women speak up about violence, abuse" by Jill Burke (Alaska Dispatch, 16 Oct 2013).

Justice alum joins Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center as research professional

Khristy Parker, Justice '08 and MPA (Criminal Justice emphasis) '13, has joined the staff of the Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center (AJSAC) as a research professional.

Ms. Parker has worked for the Justice Center as a research assistant and for ISER as a research associate.

Established in 1986 and housed within the Justice Center, the AJSAC assists Alaska criminal justice and law enforcement agencies through the collection, analysis, and reporting of crime and justice statistics.  Dr. Brad Myrstol is the director of the AJSAC.

30th annual tribal courts conference in Fairbanks brings together federal, state, and local representatives

Dr. Cory Lepage and Dr. Ryan Fortson, Justice faculty, and Barbara Armstrong, editor of the Alaska Justice Forum, attended the 30th Annual Alaska Tribal Court Development Conference, August 6-8, in Fairbanks. The event was hosted by the Tanana Chiefs Conference.

Forty-seven tribal courts were represented at the conference. Participants included tribal court judges, court clerks, tribal administrators, Native village representatives, as well federal and state agency representatives.  The agenda included presentations on tribal court initiatives, tribal court assessments, funding opportunities for tribes, due process in tribal courts, child protection cases in tribal courts, diversion programs for youth, state-tribal relations, and state court outreach.

At the conference, Chief Judge Ingrid Cumberlidge of the Qagan Tayagungin Tribe, Sand Point, was presented a Faculty Award Milestone from the National Tribal Judicial Center at the National Judicial College for 5 years of teaching. Judge Cumberlidge has volunteered many hours of her time to teach for the National Judicial College.

 The conference is funded by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Bureau of Indian Affairs through the National Tribal Judicial Center at the National Judicial College, Tanana Chiefs Conference, and the University of Alaska Fairbanks Tribal Management Program.

Opening day of the conference.

Chief Justice Robert Yazzie (Ret.),
Supreme Court of the Navajo Nation,
Window Rock, Arizona.

  

L to r (standing): Prof. Kevin Illingworth, UAF Tribal Management
Program; John Moller, Office of Governor Sean Parnell; Dr. Ryan Fortson &
Dr. Cory Lepage, UAA Justice Center; Prof. Jeff May, UAF Justice Dept.
Seated in foreground: Lisa Jaeger, Tanana Chiefs Conference

Chief Judge David Raasch (Ret.),
Mohican Nation Tribal Court

Justice Dan Winfree,
Alaska Supreme Court

L to r: Dr. Cory Lepage, UAA Justice Center; Judge David Voluck,
Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska;
Dr. Ryan Fortson, UAA Justice Center; attorneys Holly Handler
and Tina Reigh, Alaska Legal Services Corporation.

L to r: Christine Folsom-Smith, Director, National Tribal Judicial
Center, National Judicial College, presents a
Faculty Milestone Award to Chief Judge Ingrid Cumberlidge
of Sand Point.

UAA Justice Center data on domestic violence and sexual assault referenced in article in UAF The Sun Star

Logo for The Sun Star

UAA Justice Center data on domestic violence and sexual assault in Alaska was referenced in a September 17 online article by Lizzie Jepsen in UAF's student-run weekly newspaper The Sun Star: "Violence prevention program makes its way to UAF."

The data is from the Alaska Victimization Survey of adult women, an ongoing project begun in 2010 that is designed to measure the lifetime and past year exposure to sexual violence and intimate partner violence. 

For more background on this project, visit http://justice.uaa.alaska.edu/avs

Pizza party on October 17 for Justice & Legal Studies students

Come to the Justice Center on Thursday, October 17 for 
pizza with fellow students, faculty, and alums!

Date: Thursday, October 17
Time: 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Place: Justice Center, LIB 213, 2nd floor
            UAA/APU Consortium Library

 

Justice alum - now an APD crime analyst - speaks to Dr. Barnes' class about crime prevention

Bryan Morberg,
APD Crime Analyst

Byran Morberg, Justice '97, spoke to Dr. Allan Barnes' Justice 320 class, Crime Prevention, on October 2, 2013.

Mr. Morberg is currently a crime analyst with the Anchorage Police Department (APD).  He discussed the types of contributions his APD work makes to crime prevention, and the future of crime prevention in Anchorage and Alaska.  Mr. Morberg also talked about his background, how he came to his current position, the importance of education, and employment and career opportunities in this field.

Mat-Su data from Alaska Victimization Survey noted in media reports

The recent release of Alaska Victimization Survey estimates of intimate partner violence and sexual violence experienced by adult women in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough has been noted in a number of media reports.

The survey was designed to measure the lifetime and past year exposure to sexual violence and intimate partner violence. It was conducted from April to July 2013 in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough through a contract with the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (CDVSA). Respondents were randomly selected by phone (using both land lines and cellphones).

Links to the media reports are below:

 KTUU Channel 2 News - October 8, 2013
"Survey Reveals Mat-Su Women Domestic & Sexual Violence Statistics " - Corey Allen-Young

 Anchorage Daily News - October 8, 2013
"Survey paints grim picture of violence against women in Mat-Su" - Zaz Hollander

Alaska Dispatch - October 8, 2013
"Mat-Su cannot escape Alaska's dishonor" - Jill Burke

KSKA Radio Alaska Public Media - October 9, 2013
"Survey Indicates High Rate of Sexual Assault in Mat-Su Borough" - Ellen Lockyer 

Anchorage Daily News - October 10, 2013
"Our View: To change violence numbers, we need to change lives" - editorial 

Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman - October 10, 2013
"Survey: More than half of Valley women have experienced violence" - Heather A. Resz

Dr. Everett speaks at Conversation Salon Series on how media shapes our reality of the justice system

Dr. Ron Everett, Justice faculty, will moderate the discussion for "How Does the Media Shape Our Reality of the Justice System" on October 15 at the Loussac Library.

Date: Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Time: 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Place: Loussac Library, Ann Stevens Room

This event  is part of the Conversation Salon Series: "Information Is Not Knowledge: How Media Influences Our Reality," co-hosted  by UAA/APU Books of the Year and the Anchorage Public Library.  The discussions in this series are based on Brooke Gladstone's book, The Influencing Machine.

Conversation Salon Series discussions are held every third Tuesday of the month, from October to May 2013, in the Ann Stevens Room of the Loussac Library.   The sessions are not presentations, but opportunities for attendees to discuss issues relevant to themselves and the community. For more information contact Rayette Sterling at 343-2856.

Alaska Victimization Survey results show that over half of adult women in the Kenai Peninsula Borough have experienced intimate partner violence or sexual violence or both

At the Kenai data release press conference (l to r): Dr. André Rosay, UAA Justice Center Director;
Cheri Smith, LeeShore Center Executive Director; and
Lauree Morton, Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Executive Director

The results of the 2013 Alaska Victimization Survey for the Kenai Peninsula Borough were released on October 10 at 12 noon in Kenai.  The troubling numbers show that:

• 52% of adult women in the Kenai Peninsula Borough have experienced intimate partner violence, sexual violence or both, in their lifetime;
• 6% have experienced intimate partner violence, sexual violence or both, in the past year;
• More than 3 out of every 10 adult women in the Kenai Peninsula Borough have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime; and 
• More than 4 out of every 10 have experienced intimate partner violence in their lifetime.

The survey was designed to measure the lifetime and past year exposure to sexual violence and intimate partner violence. It was conducted from April to July 2013 in the Kenai Peninsula Borough through a contract with the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (CDVSA). Respondents were randomly selected by phone (using both land lines and cellphones).

Details of the survey are available at: http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/justice/avs/

• Summary document
• PowerPoint presentation

More Information:
For more background on this project, visit http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/justice/avs/
For more information about CDVSA, visit http://www.dps.state.ak.us/CDVSA/
For more information about resources in the Kenai Peninsula Borough, visit the LeeShore Center at
http://www.leeshoreak.org/

Below are links to media coverage of this event:

• "Study shows high number of Kenai Peninsula women victimized" by Kaylee Osowski (Peninsula Clarion, 13 Oct 2013).
• "Domestic violence numbers an eye opener" (editorial) (Peninsula Clarion, 19 Oct 2013).
• "October proclaimed Domestic Violence Awareness Month" (Peninsula Clarion, 21 Oct 2013).

Summer 2013 issue of the Alaska Justice Forum

The Summer 2013 issue of the Alaska Justice Forum includes articles on reducing sales of alcohol to underage persons, leading causes of death including homicide and suicide, experience of racism in Anchorage, selection and evaluation of Alaska judges since 1984, and an update from the Criminal Justice Working Group. The 16-page issue includes the following articles:

"Reducing Sales of Alcohol to Underage Persons in Alaska" by Marny Rivera and Shirley Coté

As part of the strategy to reduce sales of alcohol to underage persons, the Alaska Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (ABC Board) has utilized ABC enforcement officers and underage volunteers to conduct compliance checks at retail establishments in Alaska for well over a decade. This article looks at the compliance check program in Alaska and the comprehensive effort required to reduce retail alcohol access to underage persons. Includes a brief bibliography of studies and articles on underage alcohol and tobacco prevention programs.

"Leading Causes of Death 2007–2010" by Sharon Chamard

This article reviews the most current data on the leading causes of death in Alaska and the United States as a whole, then focuses more closely on homicide and suicide. Homicide and/or suicide were among the five leading causes of death for ages 5 through 64 in Alaska during 2007–2009 and for ages 0 (birth) to 54 nationally in 2010. Data are derived from the National Vital Statistics Reporting Program (NVSR) and the Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics. Includes a brief bibliography of resources on suicide and suicide prevention in Alaska.

"Experience of Racism in Anchorage" by Melissa S. Green and Sharon Chamard

This article looks at experiences of racism reported by adults in the Municipality of Anchorage who responded to the 2009 Anchorage Community Survey (ACS). About one-third of all respondents answered Yes at least when asked about whether they had experienced racism in nine different situations. Experience of racism was reported by members of all races/ethnicities, but the percentage of whites/Caucasians who reported such experiences was far lower in most situations than for other races/ethnicities.

"Selecting and Evaluating Alaska’s Judges: 1984–2012" by Teresa White Carns

Alaska chooses and retains judges through a merit selection process established by the Alaska Constitution and administered by the Alaska Judicial Council. which is designed to select the best judges possible and provide accountability to the public. This article highlights findings of the Council's third report on judicial selection and retention, describing characteristics, legal experience, and bar survey ratings of judicial applicants, nominees, and appointees from 1984 to 2012.

"Criminal Justice Working Group Update" by Teresa White Carns

An update on current work being conducted by the Criminal Justice Working Group (CWCG): a pilot electronic discovery project in Juneau; results of a study on how court-appointed counsel in criminal cases are appointed; information-sharing among criminal justice agencies; the Prisoner Re-Entry Task Force; and juveniles in the adult criminal justice system. CWCG is coordinated and staffed by the Alaska Judicial Council.

"Faculty News"

Dr. André Rosay has returned from Washington, D.C., and resumed his duties as Director of the Justice Center.

College of Health and Alaska WWAMI hosted workshop for UAA faculty and staff on recruiting and retaining diverse faculty

Dr. Uma Jayakumar talks to UAA faculty and staff.

The College of Health (COH) and Alaska WWAMI hosted a program for UAA faculty and staff on recruiting and retaining diverse faculty - "Is 'Critical Mass' Necessary for Fostering Educational Benefits and Student Success?" on August 21.

UAF and the UAF- Kuskokwim campus at Bethel attended by video conference.

Prof. Deb Periman, J.D., Justice faculty, chair of  the COH Diversity Committee, introduced noted diversity scholar Dr. Uma Jayakumar of the University of San Francisco.  Dr. Jayakumar discussed the shifting landscape of diversity scholarship, including the question of "critical mass," her scholarship impacting the U.S. Supreme Court's recent diversity case, Fisher v. University of Texas (2013), and the function of affirmative action post-Fisher. She also presented information on ways to assist units in developing strategies for recruiting and retaining diverse faculty and staff.

Dr. Chamard publishes 3 articles in Encyclopedia of Community Policing and Problem Solving

Dr. Sharon Chamard, Justice faculty, recently published 3 articles in the Encyclopedia of Community Policing and Problem Solving published by Sage Reference.

The articles are:

• "Community Cohesion and Empowerment"
• "Involving Local Businesses"
• "Neighborhood Associations"

This encyclopedia looks at community policing as a philosophy which supports the systematic use of partnerships and problem-solving to proactively address the immediate conditions that give rise to public safety issues.  The work is a collection of over 100 entries by significant figures in the research field. 

Alaska Victimization Survey results show that over half of adult women in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough have experienced intimate partner violence or sexual violence or both

The results of the 2013 Alaska Victimization Survey for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough were released on October 8 at 12 noon in Wasilla.  The troubling numbers show that:

• 53% of adult women in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough have experienced intimate partner violence, sexual violence or both, in their lifetime;
• 9% have experienced intimate partner violence, sexual violence or both, in the past year;
• More than 3 out of every 10 adult women in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime; and 
• More than 4 out of every 10 have experienced intimate partner violence in their lifetime.

The survey was designed to measure the lifetime and past year exposure to sexual violence and intimate partner violence. It was conducted from April to July 2013 in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough through a contract with the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (CDVSA). Respondents were randomly selected by phone (using both land lines and cellphones).

Details of the survey are available at: http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/justice/avs/

• Summary document
• PowerPoint presentation

More Information:
For more background on this project, visit http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/justice/avs/
For more information about CDVSA, visit http://www.dps.state.ak.us/CDVSA/
For more information about resources in the Matnauska-Susitna Borough, visit Alaska Family Services http://www.akafs.org/

Below are links to media coverage of this event:

• "Survey Reveals Mat-Su Women Domestic & Sexual Violence Statistics" by Corey Allen-Young (KTUU Channel 2 News, 8 Oct 2013). 6-minute story includes an in-studio interview with Dr. André B. Rosay about the AVS study.

• "Survey paints grim picture of violence against women in Mat-Su" by Zaz Hollander (Anchorage Daily News, 8 Oct 2013).
• "Mat-Su cannot escape Alaska's dishonor" by Jill Burke (Alaska Dispatch, 8 Oct 2013).
• "Survey Indicates High Rate of Sexual Assault in Mat-Su Borough" by Ellen Lockyer (includes audio) (KSKA Radio, Alaska Public Media, 9 Oct 2013).
• "Survey: More than half of Valley women have experienced violence" by Heather A. Resz (Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman, 10 Oct 2013).
• "Domestic Violence Numbers Demand Community Action" (editorial) (Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman, 10 Oct 2013).
• "Our View: To change violence numbers, we need to change lives" (editorial) (Anchorage Daily News, 10 Oct 2013). Republished as "Alaska Editorial: To Change violence numbers, we need to change lives" in the Juneau Empire (16 Oct 2013).
• "Spectrum: Explaining the 53 percent" (opinion) by Judy Gette (Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman, 24 Oct 2013).

Regional results from the 2013 Alaska Victimization Survey in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Kenai Peninsula Borough, and Ketchikan Gateway Borough, to be released in October

The results from the 2013 Alaska Victimization Survey of adult women in the  Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Kenai Peninsula Borough, and Ketchikan Gateway Borough, will be released in October on the following dates:

• Matanuska-Susitna Borough - October 8 - 12 noon at Station 6-1, Central Mat-Su EMS, Wasilla
• Kenai Peninsula Borough - October 10 - 12 noon at the Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association, Kenai
• Ketchikan Gateway Borough - October 15 - details TBA

The survey was designed to measure the lifetime and past year exposure to sexual violence and intimate partner violence. It was conducted from April to July 2013 in these regions through a contract with the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (CDVSA), with supplemental funding from the Governor's Choose Respect initiative to end the epidemic of domestic violence and sexual assault in Alaska. Respondents were randomly selected by phone (using both land lines and cellphones).  

Details of the survey will be available after the release dates at: http://justice.uaa.alaska.edu/avs
For more information on the CDVSA, visit http://dps.alaska.gov/cdvsa/
For more information about resources available in Alaska, visit http://gov.alaska.gov/parnell/priorities/public-safety/choose-respect/links-to-organizations.html

Prof. Brandeis discusses constitutional issues at Alaska Bar Association continuing legal education program

L to r: Prof. Brandeis, Cynthia Kuno, Lea McDermid,
Eric Croft, and Allison Mendel.

Prof. Jason Brandeis, J.D., Justice faculty, was a panelist at the October 1 Alaska Bar Association continuing legal education (CLE) program, "Out of the Closet and Into Your Office." 

He addressed constitutional issues related to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) clients in light of the U.S. Supreme Court's recent ruling in U.S. v. Windsor. The program covered serving LGBT clients and their specific needs and concerns related to finance, family law, immigration, and other topics.

Come to the 5th Annual Women in Law Enforcement Recruitment Fair on Wednesday, Oct 2 - UAA Student Union

Don't miss this event!

Date:  Wednesday, October 2
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Where:  UAA Student Union, Upper Level  next to the Wells Fargo Sports Complex
Parking: Click here for map of FREE parking areas.
Everyone is welcome to attend.

Although Alaska's population is 48% female, only about 10% of sworn law enforcement officers are women. Learn about the tremendous rewards offered by a career in law enforcement.

Law enforcement agencies are actively recruiting for female officers. Local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies statewide will be participating.  Exhibitors include:

• Air Force Reserve Recruiting
• Alaska Air National Guard
• Alaska State Troopers
• Anchorage Airport Fire & Police Dept.
• Anchorage Police Dept.
• Fairbanks Police Dept.
• Juneau Police Dept.
• Seward Police Dept.
• State of Alaska Dept. of Corrections
• U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Law Enforcement
• U.S. Marine Corps
• U.S. Marshals Service

Sponsored by:

Women Police of Alaska 

with the support of 

Alaska State Troopers

Alaska Association of Chiefs of Police 

UAA Justice Center.

Dr. Brad Myrstol is the faculty coordinator. For more information, call the Justice Center at 786-1810.