Prof. Brandeis' research on marijuana law quoted in vox.com article

An Alaska Law Review article by Prof. Jason Brandeis, J.D., Legal Studies faculty at the Justice Center, was quoted in a piece on vox.com, a recently launched general interest online news site.  Prof. Brandeis' article, "The Continuing Vitality of Ravin v. State: Alaskans Still Have a Constitutional Right to Possess Marijuana in the Privacy of Their Homes," was published in the December 2012 issue of the Alaska Law Review.

Read the vox.com article:
"The Next State To Legalize Marijuana Could Be ...Alaska?" by German Lopez, vox.com, May 21, 2014. 

Prof. Brandeis' law review article addresses the unique history and case law surrounding the Alaska Constitution's right to privacy and how it applies to private, personal marijuana use. He teaches courses on constitutional issues and civil liberties.

Prof. Brandeis teaches courses on American government, constitutional law and civil liberties, and is a frequent speaker on constitutional law and other legal issues. Prof. Brandeis also maintains a private law practice through which he provided legal representation in administrative agency proceedings for the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol in Alaska.

Update on the "UAA says NO MORE" campaign

The NO MORE campaign at UAA co-founded by Justice majors/Legal Studies minors Simona Gerdts and Kristen Speyerer continues to gain momentum. Simona and Kristen graduated in May 2014, but they are continuing to work on this project. Below are some recent highlights:

"UAA says NO MORE" officially added to list of NO MORE allies

UAA has been added to the growing list of organizations, clubs, and nonprofits that are uniting to end domestic violence and sexual assault.  "UAA says NO MORE" will now be known as the UAA "NO MORE Alliance." 

 UAA Resource Fair

The "UAA says NO MORE" group staffed a booth on April 17 and held a march to draw attention to the issue of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Kristen Speyerer (l) leads the march in the Student Union.

  

Students staffing the resource table (l to r) Daniel Reinhard,
Camilla Hussein-Scott, Kristen Speyerer, Simona Gerdts.

 

 

 

Meeting with UAA Chancellor Tom Case

Kristen and Simona had the opportunity to talk to Chancellor Case about their work on "UAA says NO MORE."

L to r: Simona, Kristen, and Chancellor Case

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amazing Stories Series - UAA website

 

Simona and Kristen each wrote their story for this series.  Click here to read them.

NO MORE blog features Simona Gerdts 

"The Cycle Stops Here: A Child of Violence Says No More"

Simona Gerdts (r) and her family.

  

 

 

 

 

 

Victims for Justice Banquet

Simona and Kristen were nominated for a Victims for Justice media award for the "UAA Says No More" Facebook page by Cpt. Danyelle Kimp, U.S. Army Alaska SHARP Program (Sexual Harassment/Assault Response & Prevention) Manager, JBER. They received a plaque in recognition of their nomination at the May 3 banquet.

At the banquet, members  of  "UAA Says NO MORE."
Seated l to r: Camilla Hussein-Scott, Kristen Speyerer,
Simona Gerdts. Standing l to r: Daniel Reinhard,
Sarah Anderson.

 

 

 

 

 KRUA Student Storyboard

L to r: Sarah Anderson (l) and  Simona Gerdts (r)
being interviewed by Kathleen McCoy.

Simona Gerdts and Sarah Anderson, a Native Aleut and UAA student, were interviewed on KRUA for Student Storyboard by Kathleen McCoy of UAA Advancement. The program aired on  KRUA, the student radio station at UAA, on May 2 and May 5. The discussion focused on how Simona's and Kristen's capstone project, "UAA says NO MORE," intersected with Sarah's desire to bring awareness of the problem of domestic violence and sexual assault to her village of Port Heiden.

Photo with Senator Mark Begich

Simona and Kristen had a photo taken with Senator Begich during his recent visit to the UAA campus and presented him with a NO MORE t-shirt.

L to r: Senator Begich, Simona, and Kristen.

"Jammin' for Justice" Legal Services fundraiser honoring Professor Emerita Dr. Nancy Schafer tops $15,000

L to r: Dr. Allan Barnes, Justice Center faculty; Jennifer Schafer-Soderman;
and Dr. André Rosay, Justice Center Director, outside the Tap Root.

The Alaska Legal Services Corporation (ALSC) fundraiser honoring UAA Justice Center Professor Emerita Dr. Nancy Schafer who passed away in September 2013 raised over $15,000 to provide legal services for low-income and senior women.

Dr. Schafer's daughter, Jennifer Schafer-Soderman, had made a $15,000 challenge grant to ALSC  - an amount which was matched at the fundraiser - bringing the total donated to over $30,000.

The event, "Jammin' for Justice," was held at the Tap Root and featured musicians Hilary Morgan, Melissa Mitchell, and Marian Call.  Members of the legal community, Justice Center faculty and staff, and former students of Dr. Schafer were among those who attended.

Dr. John Angell addresses the crowd at the fundraiser.

 At the event, Jennifer Schafer-Soderman recalled her mother's commitment to women's rights and access to justice.  Dr. John Angell, former Director of the Justice Center, also spoke and described Dr. Schafer's contributions to justice research and her service to the Justice Center and UAA.

Contract Laura Goss, Alaska Legal Services, for more information:  lgoss@alsc-law.org
or 907-222-4521.

Dr. Rivera presents at UAA's first Healthy Minds Conversation with the Chancellor and Provost

Dr. Rivera (at podium) discusses health problems of
female victims of crime.

Dr. Marny Rivera, Justice Center faculty, and Dr. Gabriel Garcia, UAA Department of Health Sciences, co-presented at UAA's first "Healthy Minds Conversation" on April 22.

They discussed their research on "Health Correlates of Female Victimization" which looked at the effect of race on the health conditions of women who have experienced violence in their lives. Minority women who have experienced violence have significantly increased odds of health problems, including mental health problems.

The goal of the event was to encourage conversation among faculty, staff and students about programs, projects, and research at UAA aimed at supporting mental health.  As the University of Alaska’s health campus, UAA is uniquely situated to take a leadership role in supporting a healthy minds ethos on campus and collaborating with partners both on and off campus.

The program included an overview of the programs in the College of Health, Student Affairs, and the College of Arts and Sciences.  The reports and recommendations from this event will be summarized and distributed.

For more information, contact Pam Cravez, Executive Officer, Communications Directors, pcravez@uaa.alaska.edu The event is available as a UAA podcast.

Dr. Garcia and Dr. Rivera presented to faculty, staff, and students.

Justice Center closed Monday, May 26, in observance of Memorial Day

Snow-capped mountains above Fort Richardson National Cemetery, Alaska

The UAA campus and the Justice Center will be closed on Monday, May 26, in observance of Memorial Day.

The Justice Center will re-open on Tuesday, May 27, at 8:00 a.m.

Dr. Barnes attends CAFE's Team-Based Learning Intensive

Dr. Allan Barnes, Justice faculty, attended the May 8 "Team-Based Learning Intensive," presented by the UAA Center for Advancing Faculty Excellence (CAFE).

The session is one in a series focused on developing and implementing a team-based learning (TBL) module for a course.  Additional sessions will be held in the fall. Dr. Barnes will be using TBL in his course, JUST 330 - Justice and Society.

Team-based learning (TBL) is an increasingly-popular form of small group learning with four components: 1) permanent teams, 2) readiness assurance, 3) application activities, and 4) peer evaluation.

TBL teachers report high levels of student attendance, preparation, participation and critical thinking, and TBL students report being more motivated and enjoying class more, even when the subject is not in their major. 

Prof. Periman and Law Related Education Committee attend Law Day lunch at Alaska Bar Convention

Members of the LRE Committee and the judiciary pose for a photo after the lunch.
L to r: Russell Johnson; Prof. Deb Periman; Patrick J. McKay, Jr.; Stephanie D. Galbraith Moore, LRE Committee Chair;
U.S. District Court Chief Judge Ralph Beistline; Alaska Supreme Court Chief Justice Dana Fabe;
9th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Morgan Christen; Barbara Jones, LRE Committee Immediate Past Chair;
Mara Rabinowitz, Alaska Court System Communications Counsel.

Prof. Deb Periman, J.D., Justice Center Legal Studies Program Coordinator, joined other members of the Alaska Bar Association Law Related Education (LRE) Committee at the annual Alaska Bar Convention Law Day Lunch on May 8.

Alaska Supreme Court Chief Justice Dana Fabe, U.S. District Court Chief Judge Ralph Beistline, and 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Morgan Christen presented highlights at the lunch describing the various judicial outreach initiatives of their courts.

L to r: Alaska Supreme Court
Chief Justice Dane Fabe and
Barbara Jones.

Barbara Jones, Immediate Past Chair of the Alaska Bar Law Related Education (LRE)  Committee, was recognized for her contributions and service. Chief Justice Dana Fabe presented her with a framed photo signed by all the committee members.

The winners of the "Justice for All" art contest - open to elementary and middle school students statewide - were also announced.

Justice Center participates in 4th annual UAF global cyber-conference on dispute resolution

The video conference screen at UAA.

The Justice Center was one of over 20 participants in the 4th annual UAF Global Cyber-Conference on Dispute Resolution organized by Prof. Brian Jarrett, UAF Department of Justice, on April 23.

The guest speaker was John W. McDonald - a diplomat, peacebuilder, former international civil servant, mediator, and negotiator.

The program was an informal town-hall discussion and addressed issues related to the following themes:

• Integrating different approaches to mediation
• New developments and applications in therapeutic jurisprudence
• Circle peace-making and indigenous knowledge
• New applications in restorative justice - including methods for local community empowerment, and restorative responses to street riots and crowd violence

L to r at UAA site for the cyber-conference:
 J.P. Ouellette, Conflict Resolution Center, Anchorage; Chris Provost, attorney,
member of the Alaska Bar Association ADR Section; and
Dr. Cory R. Lepage, UAA Justice Center faculty.

Participants included:
Alaska Bar Association, Alternate Dispute Resolution Section, Anchorage
Beyond Borders, Anchorage
Boundary Restorative Justice Program, British Columbia
Carcross-Tagish (Tlingit) First Nation, Canada - Harold Gatensby, Keeper of the Circle
Conflict Resolution Center, Anchorage
Dream Science Canada, Ontario
Hawaii State Telehealth Network, Manoa
Ministry of Justice, British Colombia
Northern Institute of Social Justice, Yukon Territory - Joanne Lewis
Office of Fairbanks Mayor John Eberhardt, Alaska
Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, Hawaii County, Hawaii
Rezoud Innovative Resolution Solutions, Florida
Salisbury University, Maryland
University of Alaska Anchorage
University of Alaska Fairbanks
University of Hawaii
University of Puerto Rico – David Wexler
University of Regina, Saskatchewan 
University of Santa Cruz do Sul – UNISC, Brazil
University of Victoria, New Zealand
Yukon College, Yukon Territory

The Alaska Bar Association approved the cyber-conference for continuing legal education (CLE) credits.

Questions? Contact Prof. Brian Jarrett, bnjarrett@alaska.edu or 907-474-6790. Go to the cyber-conference website for more information.

Prof. Fortson presents Renting 101 - a renter's workshop for students

Prof. Ryan Fortson, J.D.,  Legal Studies faculty in the Justice Center, presented Renting 101 - A Renter's Workshop for Students on Tuesday, April 22 at the Student Union.

The program was a joint presentation of the UAA Justice Center and  UAA Student Union & Commuter Student Services.

The program covered the basics of renting an apartment including leases, security deposits, problems with landlord, evictions, moving out, and rights and responsibilities of tenant.

Prof. Fortson is a lawyer and the author of A College Student’s Guide to Landlord/Tenant Relations in Alaska. In his previous employment, he represented tenants in eviction proceedings.

Prof. Fortson discusses the handouts available to the workshop attendees.

L to r: David Murdoch, UAA Commuter Student Services
Coordinator; Lisa Bell, Practicum Student, UAA Human Services
Department; and Prof. Ryan Fortson, UAA Justice Center.

Prof. Periman highlighted in Willamette Lawyer - alumni magazine of Willamette University College of Law

Prof. Deb Periman, J.D., Legal Studies Program Coordinator in the Justice Center, is highlighted in the Spring 2014 issue of the Willamette Lawyer, the alumni magazine of the Willamette University College of Law.  The issue is titled, "Northern Lights: Alumni and students shine in Alaska."

Her work in helping to develop the 3+3 partnership with Willamette is described in the piece titled, "Educating Alaskans: Willamette Law launches 3+3 program partnership with University of Alaska."

“3+3” refers to 3 years of undergraduate credits plus 3 years of law school. Through this partnership with Willamette, UAA students from any major who have completed their required disciplinary credits, all of their GER credits, and a total of 90 credits overall, may apply for admission to Willamette University College of Law.

The issue also contains profiles of alums who practice in Alaska, including Mary Hughes, who is a Willamette trustee, and a member of the University of Alaska Board of Regents.

Dr. Chamard elected to position of 2nd vice president of faculty senate

Dr. Sharon Chamard, Justice Center faculty, was elected to the position of Second Vice President of the UAA Faculty Senate for 2014-2015. The duties of the Second Vice President are to assist the President and First Vice President, chair the Nominations and Elections Committee, and serve as the representative of the Faculty Senate on the Center for Advancing Faculty Excellence (CAFÉ) Advisory Board.

Dr. Chamard was a Senator in the UAA Faculty Senate representing the College of Health from 2012 to 2014, during which time she was also a member and chair of the Budget, Planning, and Facilities Advisory Committee.  The Justice Center is in the College of Health.

Justice Center closed Thursday, May 15, for UAA Development Day training and education

The Justice Center will be closed on Thursday, May 15, for UAA Development. Day.

The office will re-open at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, May 16. 

The day is intended to celebrate staff and their accomplishments at UAA and lay the foundation to prepare employees for next year’s strategic priorities. It is also a forum to offer professional and personal advancement and learning opportunities.

Don't miss Alaska Legal Services fundraiser May 16 honoring Justice Center Professor Emerita Dr. Nancy Schafer

Alaska Legal Services is hosting a fundraiser honoring Justice Center Professor Emerita Dr. Nancy Schafer,  who died in September 2013.

What: Jammin' for Justice - Alaska Women Performing to Benefit Alaska Women
Date:  Friday, May 16, 2014
Time:  6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Place:  Tap Root, 3300 Spenard Road
Cost:    $10 cover
Music by: Marian Call, Melissa Mitchell, and Hilary Morgan

The event will help fund free civil legal assistance for low-income and senior women.

Justice alumni chapter has inaugural meeting to elect officers

Justice alumni at their inaugural chapter meeting.
Front row l to r: Melanie Osborne, BA '92; Dr. Allan Barnes, faculty advisor.
  Back row l to r: Kenneth McCoy BA' 96; Ezekiel Kaufman, BA '12;
Beth (neé Clure) Mader, BA '94; Beth Adams, BA '82; Katey Barnes, BA '13.
Not pictured: Bridgette Ellis, BA '04.

The Justice Alumni Chapter of the UAA Alumni Association met April 13 at the home of faculty advisor, Dr. Allan Barnes, to elect officers for the chapter and discuss plans for future events.

Officers:
Beth Mader, Justice BA '94, President
Ezekiel Kaufman, Justice BA '12, Vice President
Bridgette Ellis, Justice '04, Secretary
Melanie Osborne, Justice BA '92, Treasurer

During the past year, the Justice Alumni Chapter has been in the process of organizing.  Bridgette Ellis served as Chapter Chair during this formation period. The Justice Alumni Chapter was formally approved by the UAA Alumni Association Board of Directors in February 2014.

To join the Justice Alumni Chapter, email Dr. Barnes at arbarnes@uaa.alaska.edu

Dr. Rivera and Dr. Fortson present at Alaska Court System Minor Consuming Alcohol Conference

Alaska Supreme Court Chief Justice Dana Fabe opens the conference.

Dr. Marny Rivera, Justice faculty, co-presented with L. Diane Casto, Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, at the April 4 Minor Consuming Alcohol (MCA) Conference sponsored by the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority and the Minor Consuming Alcohol Subcommittee of the Alaska Supreme Court's Fairness, Diversity, and Equality Committee.  The conference was organized in response to concern about MCA cases and underage drinking in Alaska.

L to r: Diane Casto and Dr. Marny Rivera.

Participants included state and tribal court judges, tribal representatives, attorneys, law enforcement, researchers, and health, and education professionals. The goal of the conference was to explore the various approaches Alaska communities are using in handling MCA cases, discuss best practices and the effectiveness of programs, and review research and resources.

Dr. Rivera and Ms. Casto presented "Underage Drinking: Research, Evaluation, and Related Efforts," and focused on:

• existing research on underage drinking in Alaska
• the value of researching minor consuming enforcement and response
• related efforts in Alaska and nationwide
• reducing underage drinking in Alaska

(2nd from right) Tribal Judge Ellen Sovalik,
Native Village of Barrow, discusses how cases are
handled in tribal court.

Dr. Ryan Fortson, Legal Studies faculty in the Justice Center, also prepared materials on "Tribal Courts and Minor Consuming Alcohol Cases: Researching Recidivism and Responsiveness."

Other topics presented were "Sample Approaches from Sitka, Barrow, and Kenai," "Tribal Alternatives Sentencing Approaches," "What Happens Once the State is Involved," and "Implementing New Approaches." All the conference materials are available on the Alaska Court website. [Update: now archived at the UAA Justice Center website.]

Judge Eric Smith, 3rd Judicial District Superior Court, is the chair of the Minor Consuming Alcohol Subcommittee.

Alaska Supreme Court Justice Joel Bolger (standing) moderates a panel discussing how different
tribal courts handle MCAs.

Superior Court Judge Eric Smith moderated two of the sessions.

Some of the conference participants.

APD Officer Jonathan Butler, Justice major, and two other officers awarded Medal of Valor on Police Memorial Day

L to r: APD Officer Christian, Officer Butler, Officer Barth.

Anchorage Police Department Officer Jonathan Butler, a Justice major, and two colleagues, Officer Matthew Barth and Officer Eric Christian have been presented medals of valor for their response to a small aircraft crash on August 24, 2013 at Merrill Field Airport.

A medal of valor is awarded to a police officer for an exceptionally courageous act where the officer had prior knowledge of the physical risk and dangers involved.  The officers and a civilian, John Lameroux, ran to the burning aircraft to extinguish the flames and extricate two occupants.  They were able to free the occupants and pull them to a safe location. Tragically, the occupants did not survive, but the officers and the civilian worked heroically to rescue the individuals from a volatile and dangerous event.

The presentation to the APD officers is being made today, May 9, on Police Memorial Day.

Dr. Fortson interviewed by KNOM Radio Mission about federal government taking lands into trust

Dr. Ryan Fortson, J.D., Ph.D., Legal Studies faculty in the Justice Center, was interviewed by KNOM Radio Mission in Nome about the proposed rule to allow Alaska tribes to place land into federal trust.

"DOI Proposes Opening Alaska Land to Federal Trust" by Anna Rose MacArthur, KNOM Radio Mission, May 2, 2014. (http://www.knom.org/wp/blog/2014/05/02/doi-proposes-opening-alaska-land-to-federal-trust/)

Prof. Brandeis interviewed by KTUU TV about history of marijuana laws in Alaska

Prof. Jason Brandeis, J.D., Justice faculty, was recently interviewed by Steve MacDonald of KTUU TV News, for a series of news reports called "The Marijuana Debate."  The series examines the upcoming marijuana initiative, Ballot Measure 2, which will be voted on in November. The initiative seeks to legalize and regulate marijuana in Alaska. "The Marijuana Debate," airs for 5 nights during the week of May 5.

Prof. Brandeis discusses the history of Alaska's marijuana laws,  how those laws intersect with the Alaska Constitution's right to privacy, significant Alaska court cases related to the interpretation of the right to privacy and the use of marijuana, and the actions of the Alaska legislature and the U.S. Department of Justice regarding this drug.

Prof. Brandeis teaches courses on constitutional issues and civil liberties, and is the author of an article published in the December 2012 Alaska Law Review,  "The Continuing Vitality of Ravin v. State: Alaskans Still Have the Right To Possess Marijuana in the Privacy of Their Homes." 
Prof. Brandeis also maintains a private law practice through which he provided legal representation in administrative agency proceedings for the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol in Alaska.

"The Marijuana Debate," Part 1, May 5, 2014 - KTUU News

Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center researcher interviewed by Alaska Dispatch about violent crime arrests

Khristy Parker, Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center (AJSAC) researcher, was recently interviewed by Laurel Andrews of the Alaska Dispatch about the AJSAC Fact Sheet, "Arrests for Violent Crimes in Alaska, 1980-2012." 

The data show that arrest rates for homicide and forcible rape declined over the time period, while arrests for robbery, and to a lesser degree, aggravated assault increased.  Data on race and sex of individuals arrested are also given.  The fact sheet notes that "[b]ecause Alaska has a small population, small changes in the number of reported arrests can lead to substantial fluctuations in arrest rates."

"Report looks at Alaska's violent crime trends from 1980 to 2012" by Laurel Andrews. Alaska Dispatch, April 28, 2014. (http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/20140428/report-looks-alaskas-violent-crime-trends-1980-2012)

The AJSAC is housed in the Justice Center. Click here for more information on AJSAC publications. To subscribe to the Fact Sheet, email editor@uaa.alaska.edu and put "Fact Sheet" in the subject line.

  

Justice major returns from internship in Alaska Legislature

Ruddy Abram on the steps of the State Capitol Building.

Ruddy Abam, a Justice major and a junior at UAA, is back from Juneau and her internship as a legislative aide to Representative David Guttenberg (D) of Fairbanks during the 2014 Alaska legislative session.  It was a great experience, but now she is happy to be back on campus and excited about  jumping in and finishing her degree!

Ruddy came to Alaska from the African nation of Cameroon and chose to study the judicial system of the United States.  She was delighted to be selected for the internship in Juneau and was able to observe first-hand how state government works. Ruddy hopes to return to the capital someday to work for the legislature.

Congrats from the Justice Center to our 2014 Justice and Legal Studies grads - best wishes for the future!

Some of our 2014 Justice and Legal Studies grads!
Photo by Anne Livingston

(more photos below)

 Congratulations to our 2014 Justice and Legal Studies graduates!

BACCALAUREATE DEGREES
BACHELOR OF ARTS
Justice
Katrina L. Albert
Katherine O. Barnes
Elynnie E. Batin
Jacob A. Carbaugh
Vanessa Chung
Jesus J. Contreras
Kristen A. Crain Robinson
John C. Croughen
Kimberly K. Del Frate**
John D. DeLesline
Christopher R. Dominey
Morgan L. DuFord
Clifford L. Dunlap
Madison D. Fitzgerald
Stevie L. Foster
Simona K. Gerdts**
Eva C. Gomez
Erik W. Gorman
Helen E. Haverty*
Azaria K. Kantor
Joshua N. Kopp*
Jenna L. Krohn
Anne S. Livingston
Kahlia M. McDermott-Johnston
Cary L. Miller
Lauren K. Nelson
McCade O. Olsen
Amanda K. Payan
Ariel A. Poston
Donte J. Powell
Matthew P. Presser*
Luljeta Rahmani
Joshua L. Resseguie
Nessabeth C. Rooks*
Tiffany J. Saporito*
Tanna R. Severson
Margaret E. Spears*
Stacy L. Tanner*
Chloe D. Thaman
David A. Vandenberg
Nahanni D. Wills
Hannah M. Woolbert

Legal Studies
April M. Gehring
Nicole M. Weber*
Kayla D. Wilke

POST-BACCALAUREATE CERTIFICATE
Paralegal Studies
Kathryn E. Braden
Rebecca H. Hartley
Joshua A. Spring

UNIVERSITY HONORS SCHOLARS
BACHELOR OF ARTS
Justice
Kimberly K. Del Frate**

* Cum Laude, ** Magna Cum Laude

 

Faculty of the Justice Center. L to r - front row: Prof. Deb Periman, J.D; Dr. Marny Rivera; Dr. Sharon Chamard;
Prof. Kristin Knudsen, J.D.; Dr. Allan Barnes. L to r back row: Dr. André Rosay, Director; Dr. Brad Myrstol;
Dr. John Angell, Professor Emeritus; Dr. Ron Everett, Dr. Ryan Fortson, J.D. Not pictured: Prof. Jason Brandeis, J.D.;
Dr. Cory Lepage; and Dr. Troy Payne.

L to r: Dr. Allan Barnes, faculty advisor, Justice Alumni Chapter, with 
Beth Mader, Justice BA '94; President, Justice Alumni Chapter;
and gonfalon bearer for the College of Health. The Justice Center is within
the College of Health.

Gonfalons for commencement. A gonafalon is a banner with the name of
a university college.  Each college has its own banner which is carried by a
gonfalon bearer walking in front of the degree candidates from the various colleges
as they march into commencement.

UAA and Willamette University College of Law sign 3+3 agreement for early entrance to law school

UAA and Willamette University College of Law have signed a memorandum of understanding for a "3+3" program for UAA students. “3+3” refers to 3 years of undergraduate credits plus 3 years of law school.

Under this agreement, UAA students from any major who have completed their required disciplinary credits, all of their GER credits, and a total of 90 credits overall, may apply for admission to Willamette University College of Law in Salem, Oregon.

If they are accepted to the law school, students may matriculate from UAA before completing the reminder of their undergraduate degree.  After participating students complete their first year of law school, UAA will accept up to 30 law school credits as transfer credits toward the total 120 credits necessary for the UAA baccalaureate degree. Thus, students will graduate from UAA after their first year of law school at Willamette.

The program is modeled on a similar partnership between Willamette College of Law and Oregon State University. Click here for details on the OSU program. (Go to the UAA Justice Center web page for program information.  The page is still under development.) Such programs allow students to complete their education more quickly, significantly reducing costs and student loan debt and providing students with an extra year of earning power. These types of agreements are becoming increasingly common among academic institutions.

Curtis Bridgeman, Dean of Willamette University College of Law, visited UAA earlier this year to discuss the proposal with UAA Chancellor Tom Case, Provost "Bear" Baker, and Mary Hughes, UA Board of Regents. Prof. Deb Periman, J.D., Legal Studies Program Coordinator at the UAA Justice Center, worked with Willamette to develop the 3+3 program and will be UAA’s point of contact for program advising. 

Justice major Nathaniel Bennett receives Justice Center scholarship

Nathaniel Bennett, Justice major, was recently awarded the UAA Justice Center Alumni Gifts Scholarship.  Nathaniel is a sophomore.