October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.   The National Network to End Domestic Violence website has many resources on this topic.

For information on domestic violence and sexual assault against women in Alaska, see the Justice Center webpage about the  Alaska Victimization Survey.

Dr. Payne named COH representative on UAA Information Technology Services Task Force

Dr. Troy Payne, Justice faculty, was the College of Health representative on the UAA Information Technology Services (ITS) Task Force which was formed in spring 2015.

The task force is finalizing a report with recommendations for the Chancellor for a strategic plan for IT at UAA. Dr. Rashmi Prasad, Dean, College of Business and Public Policy, chaired the task force.

Pre-Law Society announces new officers

The UAA Pre-Law Society recently announced their new officers:

President:  Camilla Hussein
Vice-President/ Secretary: Nathel Sims
Treasurer: Jory Knott
Officer-at-Large: Joanna Delasse
Club Council Representative: Camilla Hussein

Open to all UAA students who are considering going to law school or any other career as a legal professional.

 Click here to join the Pre-Law Society. 

The Pre-Law Society provides students interested in law school with forums for networking with attorneys,  important information pertaining to the application process, workshops, guest speakers, and resume building opportunities. 

Prof. Ryan Fortson, J.D., Ph.D., is the faculty advisor for the Pre-Law Society.

Dr. Payne supports "Anchorage Welcoming Week"

Dr. Troy Payne joins "Anchorage Welcoming Week."

Dr. Troy Payne, Justice faculty, recently showed his support of the "Anchorage Welcoming Week" by having his photo posted on the Anchorage Equal Rights Commission Facebook page with a sign saying "I'm a Welcomer."

 

"Anchorage Welcoming Week," September 14 - 19, is part of the national "Welcoming America" campaign to make individuals who are new to our country feel more comfortable. The goal  in Anchorage is to involve foreign-born residents in all aspects of life here, and includes Mayor Ethan Berkowitz's initiative to promote diversity and inclusiveness in private and public sector jobs, and on municipal boards and commissions.

This is the second year Anchorage has participated in this national campaign.

Reminder - Justice Club meeting on Sep 23 at 5:30 p.m.!

Don't miss the first meeting of the UAA Justice Club on Wednesday, September 23, at 5.30 PM in Library 207B. 

• Learn about our upcoming events. 
• Meet other Justice Majors/Minors.
• Get prepared for your Justice classes.
• Food will be provided!

 Justice Club is also looking for a new treasurer!

Any questions can be emailed to Ashleigh Radvansky, Justice Club president, at  apradvansky@alaska.edu or uaa_justiceclub@uaa.alaska.edu.

Dr. Troy Payne is the faculty advisor for Justice Club.

Justice Center announces tuition waivers for Justice and Legal Studies students

The Justice Center announced tuition waivers for 9 Justice and Legal Studies students for Fall 2015.

Justice Center tuition waivers are awarded  to recognize the  students who best represents the qualities we would most like to encourage in our students.

These qualities include academic excellence and a willingness and ability to contribute to the field of justice and the program at UAA. Consideration may also be given to student financial need and affirmative action goals.

Check here for the Justice Center tuition waiver announcement for Spring 2016 semester - Coming Soon!

Justice Club meets Sep 23 at 5:30 p.m. in LIB 207B

Don't miss the first meeting of the UAA Justice Club on Wednesday, September 23, at 5.30 PM in Library 207B. 

• Learn about our upcoming events. 
• Meet other Justice Majors/Minors.
• Get prepared for your Justice classes.
• Food will be provided!

 Justice Club is also looking for a new treasurer!

Any questions can be emailed to Ashleigh Radvansky, Justice Club president, at  apradvansky@alaska.edu or uaa_justiceclub@uaa.alaska.edu.

Dr. Troy Payne is the faculty advisor for Justice Club.

Visit the Justice Center and Pre-Law Society table at the UAA Law School Fair in the Student Union on September 17

Thinking about law school? Don’t miss the 2015 Law School Fair at UAA! 

Date: Thursday, September 17,2015
Time: 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Place: UAA Student Union, Upper Level

 Representatives from the following law schools and organizations will be in attendance to answer any questions you have about  programs, admissions, and a career in law:

• UAA—Justice Center
• UAA—Pre-Law Society

Law schools:

• Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law
• California Western School of Law
• Golden Gate University School of Law
• Gonzaga School of Law
• Hofstra University Maurice A. Deane School of Law
• Lewis & Clark Law School
• New England Law School of Law
• Seattle University School of Law
• University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law
• University of Denver Sturm College of Law
• University of Idaho College of Law
• University of Montana Alexander Blewett III School of Law
• University of Oregon School of Law
• University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law
• University of Washington School of Law
• University of Wyoming College of Law
• Vermont Law School
• Willamette University College of Law
• William Mitchell College of Law

This event is free and open to the public.

Prof. Deb Periman,  J.D., is the Legal Studies Program Coordinator in the Justice Center. Prof. Ryan Fortson, J.D., Ph.D., is the faculty advisor for the Pre-Law Society.

Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center Fact Sheet on DOC institutional populations featured in the media

The recent Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center (AJSAC) Fact Sheet, "Alaska Department of Corrections Institutional Populations: 2005–2014," has been highlighted in the media:

"Lawmakers ask for big savings from justice reform effort" by Nathaniel Herz with contribution by Jerzy Shedlock. Alaska Dispatch News, 08 Sep 2015. The article notes the data in the Fact Sheet on the increase in the prison population.


"Number of Alaska inmates awaiting trial doubles since 2005" by Mallory Peebles. KTUU Channel 2 News, 09 Sep 2015.



"Sharp rise in female and pre-trial detentions" by Zachariah Hughes. APRN-KSKA Radio, 11 Sep 2105.


The Fact Sheet was also noted by Josh Edge in a morning news brief. APRN-KSKA Radio, , 11 Sep 2105.

"More women are being imprisoned while awaiting trial" by Zachariah Hughes. KTOO Radio Public Media, 14 Sep 2015.

The report, "Alaska Department of Corrections: Institutional Populations, 2005–2014," describes DOC institutional populations based on their status in the criminal justice system from 2005 to 2014. Probation and parole populations are excluded unless they have violated the terms of their release and been returned to incarceration; individuals on non-criminal holds are also excluded. Data was extracted from the Alaska Corrections Offender Management System (ACOMS).

The fact sheet is by Khristy Parker of the Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center (AJSAC)

UAA students invited to attend Polar Law Symposium, Sep 25 and 26, at no charge

UAA students are invited to to attend the  Anchorage portion of the 8th Annual Polar Law Symposium on September 25 and 26 at the UAA campus at no charge. 

UAA - through the Justice Center and ISER - and Alaska Pacific University are co-hosting this event.  This international symposium is presented in partnership with the University of Washington School of Law, the Vermont Law School, and in cooperation with the Arctic Law Section of the Alaska Bar Association. The theme is "The Science, Scholarship and Practice of Polar Law: Strengthening Arctic Peoples and Places."

8th Annual Polar Law Symposium
Dates: Friday and Saturday, Sep 25 and 26
Time: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Friday and 10:15 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Saturday
Place: UAA/APU Consortium Library, LIB 307
Registration: Free for UAA students - lunch on Friday and Saturday not included

Alaska and international speakers address the following session topics. Click here for the full agenda.

Friday, Sep 25

• Indigenous Governance, Food Security and Rights in America’s Arctic - panel
• Risk and Security in the Arctic: Local and National Perspectives - breakout session
• Views from Outside the Arctic - breakout session
• Legislating Status: Protections or Pitfalls? - breakout session

Saturday, Sep 26

• The Arctic as an Emerging Law Practice - panel
• Breaking the Logjam on U.S. Accession to the Law of the Sea Convention - Mead Treadwell - lunch keynote
• Poster Sessions with discussion: 1) Shipping and 2) Communities and Resource Management
• Environmental and Energy Justice/Local and National Challenges to Applying Resource Norms - breakout session
• Integrating Multiple Perspectives into Resource Governance- breakout session

Dr. Barnes participates in First-Year Residential Experience Faculty Social event for UAA students in North Hall dorm

L to r: At the opening of the event, Dr. Barnes and Provost Gingerich.

Dr. Allan Barnes, Justice faculty; UAA Provost Sam Gingerich; and a number of other UAA faculty and staff members met with first-year students on September 2 at the North Hall "First-Year Residential Experience Faculty Social."

The social gave first-year students living on campus the opportunity to engage with faculty members teaching fall semester 100-level courses that are part of the general education requirements (GERs) for the university.

Ryan Hill, North Hall & First-Year Experience Residence Coordinator, organized this event  in response to research that shows students who are able to connect with faculty early in their education experience tend to stay in college and have higher GPAs at graduation.

Save the date! September 25 and 26 - 8th Annual Polar Law Symposium events in Anchorage

UAA - through the Justice Center and ISER - and Alaska Pacific University are co-hosting the Anchorage portion of the 8th Annual Polar Law Symposium on September 25 and 26 at the UAA campus. This international event is presented in partnership with the University of Washington School of Law, the Vermont Law School, and in cooperation with the Arctic Law Section of the Alaska Bar Association.

This is the first Polar Law Symposium to be held in the United States and coincides with the U.S. chairing the Arctic Council.  The theme is "The Science, Scholarship and Practice of Polar Law: Strengthening Arctic Peoples and Places."

Bill Streever

The symposium kicks off in Fairbanks on September 23, and on September 24, Dr. Bill Streever, BP Exploration - Alaska, Senior Environmental Studies Advisor, gives the keynote address on the theme, "Where Biology, Physics, Industry, Law and Inupiat Culture Meet: Examples from the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act."

Mead Treadwell

In Anchorage, on September 26, Mead Treadwell, PT Capital, former Lt. Governor of Alaska, and chair of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission - 2006-2010, is the keynote speaker. He will discuss "Breaking the Logjam on U.S. Accession to the Law of the Sea Convention."

Click here for full agenda and register here.

NOTE: The Anchorage program will be held in the UAA/APU Consortium Library, LIB 307.  Friday, September 25, the program begins at 11:30 a.m. There is a new start time of 10:15 a.m. on Saturday morning, September 26.

Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center releases fact sheet on Alaska Department of Corrections institutional populations from 2005 to 2014

The most recent issue of the AJSAC Fact Sheet presents data on institutional populations supervised by the Alaska Department of Corrections (DOC).

The report, "Alaska Department of Corrections: Institutional Populations, 2005–2014," describes DOC institutional populations based on their status in the criminal justice system from 2005 to 2014. Probation and parole populations are excluded unless they have violated the terms of their release and been returned to incarceration; individuals on non-criminal holds are also excluded. Data was extracted from the Alaska Corrections Offender Management System (ACOMS).

The fact sheet is by Khristy Parker of the Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center (AJSAC).

Labor Day closure on Monday, September 7

Factory workers in early 20th century.

The UAA campus and the Justice Center will be closed Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day.

The Justice Center will reopen on Tuesday, September 8 at 8:00 a.m. However, there will be no classes that day.

Have a safe and healthy Labor Day!

Justice Center faculty welcome the class of 2015 at Campus Kickoff!

Justice Center booth is ready for students and parents.

The  2015 Campus Kickoff on Saturday, August 22 was a great success - no rain, but some strong winds - and tons of booths, food, and activities!  Justice Center faculty were on hand to talk to current and prospective Justice and Legal Studies students and their parents about  courses and career options.

Justice and Legal Studies faculty included Dr. Marny Rivera, Justice Undergraduate Program Coordinator; Prof. Ryan Fortson, J.D., Ph.D.; Dr. Lindsey Blumenstein; Dr. Allan Barnes; Dr. Brad Myrstol; Prof. Kristin Knudsen, J.D.; and Dr. Troy Payne. A special guest at the Justice Center booth was Elly, Dr. Blumenstein's yellow Labrador Retriever puppy!  See photo below. 

Dr. Lindsey Blumenstein (top center) joins with students for a photo with her puppy, Elly, in front of the Justice Center booth.