60 Years Later: The Alaska Constitution, History in Context — videos and symposium materials available online

"60 Years Later: The Alaska Constitution, History in Context" drew over 75 attendees on October 12 at the UAA/APU Consortium Library.

The symposium was co-sponsored by the UAA Justice Center and the Alaska Law Review in cooperation with the Historians Committee of the Alaska Bar Association. The program was approved for 4.5 CLE credits (including 1.5 Ethics credits) by the Alaska Bar Association. Prof. Ryan Fortson, J.D., Ph.D., is the Justice Center faculty coordinator for this event.

The topic of this year's symposium was selected in anticipation of the sixtieth anniversary of Alaska statehood. The Constitution of the State of Alaska was adopted by the Alaska Constitutional Convention February 5, 1956; ratified by the people of Alaska April 24, 1956; and became operative with the formal proclamation of Alaska statehood on January 3, 1959.

Erwin Chemerinsky,
Dean of Berkeley Law

Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean of Berkeley Law, was keynote speaker for the event. Symposium topics included the Alaska Judicial Council and the merit selection of judges, Alaska Native perspectives on Alaska's Constitution, a presentation on unpublished materials written by the late Judge Thomas B. Stewart — who served as secretary of the Alaska Constitutional Convention — about the movement for Alaska Statehood and the development of the Alaska Constitution, and a lunchtime conversation between retired Judge Sen K. Tan and Alaska Constitutional Convention delegate Vic Fischer.

The Alaska Law Review will be publishing an issue at a later date with articles prepared for the symposium. The Alaska Law Review is published by Duke University School of Law for the Alaska Bar Association. Meantime, symposium drafts of conference papers and videos of all sessions are available for download at the UAA Justice Center website.

Erwin Chereminksy, Dean, Berkeley Law delivers the keynote address at the Alaska Law Symposium "60 Years Later: The Alaska Constitution, History in Context," 12 Oct 2018.

Panel on "A Comparative Persepctive of the Alaska Constitution." Left to right: moderator Tom Metzloff of Duke University and presenters G. Alan Tarr, Rutgers University and Center for State Constitution Studies, and Robert F. Williams, Rutgers School of Lawz

Panel on "The Alaska Judicial Council and Merit Selection of Judges." Left to right: Judge Larry Card (ret.) and presenters Susie Mason Dosik, administrative attorney for the Alaska Judicial Council, and Brett Frazer of Latham & Watkins.

Prof. Ryan Fortson, UAA Justice Center (right) introduces "A Native Perspective of Alaska's Constitution" panelists (seated left to right): Andy Erickson of Landye Bennett Blumstein LLP, John "Sky" Starkey of Landye Bennett Blumstein LLP, and Willie Hensley, University of Alaska Anchorage.

Judge Sen K. Tan (ret.) and Alaska Constitutional Convention delegate Vic Fischer.

2017 Campus Climate Survey Results

Results from a survey of undergraduate degree-seeking students at the University of Alaska released in May, show that an estimated nine percent of students experienced sexual misconduct and an estimated 11.7 percent experienced stalking or harassment. The University of Alaska Title IX Office survey, administered and analyzed by the Justice Center, was sent to 10,000 students and had 710 respondents.

Justice Center Director Brad Myrstol, author of the report, told the Northern Light that, "[T]o the extent that surveys are done in the future, it provides a framework by which the university can monitor its progress and success over time." He added that the findings in the university's report are "largely consistent" with reports from other universities. The survey is part of the University of Alaska's Voluntary Resolution Agreement with the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights. The next survey is planned for the spring of 2019.

Call for papers on Alaska's Constitution for October symposium

Papers are being accepted for the Alaska Law Review and Justice Center sponsored symposium on the Alaska Constitution to be held Friday, October 12, at UAA.

In recognition of the 60th anniversary of Alaska statehood in January 2019, the Alaska Law Review is dedicating its December 2018 issue to the Alaska Constitution and hosting, with the Justice Center, a symposium on that topic.

This is the third in a series of  jointly sponsored symposiums designed to bring together students, lawyers, academics and judges on current and pressing legal issues facing Alaska. Past topics have included the changing implications of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act and environmental and economic changes facing Alaska.

The December 2018 issue of the Law Review will be a "Symposium Publication" issue that includes articles related to the symposium topic.

Suggested topics for papers relevant to Alaska's Constitution include:

• The history and evolution of the Alaska Constitution
• Important Alaska Supreme Court constitutional law cases
• Significant provisions of the Alaska Constitution
• Emerging constitutional issues
• Recommendations for amendment
• Comparison to other state constitutions

Submissions of any length are welcome. Deadline is August 1, 2018, with the possibility of extension if necessary. Contact the Alaska Law Review staff by email or read Alaska Law Review's submission guidelines..

CDVSA highlights productive partnership with Justice Center

The Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (CDVSA) highlighted its "productive and collaborative" relationship with the UAA Justice Center  in its 2017 Annual Report released this week. According to the annual report, the Justice Center which began collaborating with CDVSA in 2010, is providing critically important insight and valuable understanding of the scope of domestic violence and sexual assault through its work on the 2010 and 2015 Alaska Victimization Surveys (AVS) and a Knowledge, Attitudes and Beliefs survey. "In 2017, two years following the last statewide AVS, we are still gaining significant and critical information about the impact of these issues—particularly for Alaska women," according to the CDVSA's 2017 annual report. "In FY17, two follow-up reports were developed and released based on results from the 2015 AVS: the Statewide and Municipality of Anchorage Stalking Victimization (released in January 2017) and the Statewide Victimization of Alaska Women age 60+ (released in June 2017)."

The Justice Center continues to collaborate with CDVSA with the joint release of results from the 2014-2015 AVS for Aleutian/Pribilof Island region released on March 13, 2018.

Justice Center is temporarily relocating for Summer 2018

The Justice Center will be temporarily relocating over Summer 2018 due to renovations at the UAA/APU Consortium Library. We will be open as usual— 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m — for the summer session at our summer location at University Center, 130. The University Center is located at 3901 Old Seward Highway (see map below).

In the meantime, the Justice Center is a bit cluttered and messy, with packing boxes scattered about. Please don't let our mess dissuade you from stopping by  if you need to visit with faculty or staff. We are operating as usual, and are here to help in any way we can. Thanks for your patience and understanding while we work our way through this transition.

Myrstol named Justice Center Director

Dr. Brad A. Myrstol,
Director of the UAA Justice Center

UAA College of Health Dean Jeff Jessee is pleased to announce that after a national search, Dr. Brad Myrstol, has been appointed director of the Justice Center. Dr. Myrstol, who has been interim director since August 2017, is also director of the Alaska Justice Information Center (AJiC) and has been with the Justice Center as a faculty member since 2009. Previously he worked at the Justice Center as a research professional from 2002 to 2006.

"We are all extremely fortunate to have such a talented leader for the Justice Center," Dean Jessee said. "He is deeply committed to the Justice Center's mission of leading Alaska toward a safer, healthier and more just society."

Dr. Myrstol received his Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Indiana University in 2006. He has served as the principal or co-principal investigator on a variety of Alaska justice topics including the offending trajectories of juveniles, the criminal case processing of domestic violence, sexual assault and sexual abuse of a minor cases, the role and impact of Alaska’s Village Public Safety Officer (VPSO) program on the state’s response to domestic violence and sexual assault, sex offender recidivism trajectories, sexual violence victimization among university students, the structure and organization of policing in Alaska, as well as factors impacting charging, time-to-disposition, and sentencing outcomes in felony cases.

While at UAA, Dr. Myrstol has received over $1 million in research funding from sources including the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice, as well as Alaska state and local agencies.

Dr. Myrstol is currently the principal investigator on Alaska's Results First Initiative, a partnership with the Pew-MacArthur Trust that provides analysis of evidence-based programs giving policymakers  a tool to better understand the relationship between the state’s monetary investment in programs and the return on that investment in terms of the benefits of reduced recidivism.

"I look forward to supporting Dr. Myrstol and the work of the Justice Center," Dean Jessee said.

Congratulations to Justice Center fall and summer 2017 grads!

With Fall 2017 Commencement this weekend, join us in congratulating Justice Center fall and summer  2017 graduates!

This fall, 15 students received a B.A. in Justice, nine received a B.A. in Legal Studies, three received an A.A.S. in Paralegal Studies and one received a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Paralegal Studies.

This summer three students graduated, one with a B.A. in Legal Studies, one with a B.A. in Justice, and one with a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Paralegal Studies.

We also congratulate the five students who are receiving a Justice minor and two students receiving a Legal Studies minor this fall.

Best wishes on your future success!

New webpage look and new web addresses for the Justice Center, Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center, and Alaska Justice Information Center

The Justice Center, the Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center (AJSAC), and the Alaska Justice Information Center (AJIC), have new web addresses and a new look to their web pages as part of the new UAA website redesign.

 
Click below and see our new web pages! 
   

 Justice Center - www.uaa.alaska.edu/justice

  

Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center - www.uaa.alaska.edu/ajsac

 

Alaska Justice Information Center - www.uaa.alaska.edu/ajic

Justice Center presentation on marijuana law and public policy noted in opinion piece by former state chief assistant attorney general

In advance of the November ballot initiative to legalize marijuana in Alaska, Dean Guaneli, former chief assistant attorney general for the Alaska Department of Law, noted the March 5, 2014 Justice Center presentation on marijuana law and policy in his Alaska Dispatch News opinion piece in October.

Read the piece here:
"Alaska should not rush into pot legalization," by Dean Guaneli. Alaska Dispatch News, 17 Oct 2014.

2013 Justice Center annual reception for university and community partners

The Justice Center held its annual reception for university and community partners on May 9, 2013 in the UAA/APU Consortium Library Atrium. The event provided the opportunity to meet and thank the many individuals, agencies, and organizations the Justice Center works with.

See the slideshow below.

Dr. Rivera interviewed on KRUA "Informania" about the Justice Center and the fields of justice & criminology

Dr. Marny Rivera ready for
her interview.

Dr. Marny Rivera, Justice Undergraduate Program Coordinator, was interviewed February 18 on KRUA 88.1 The Edge - the UAA student radio station - on "Informania."  The program host is Deb the Librarian, aka Professor Deborah Mole, Liaison Librarian to the Journalism & Public Communications Department.

Click here to listen to an archived version of the interview with Dr. Rivera. (The full interview is about 60 minutes.)


Summary of interview topics: Dr. Rivera discusses what brought her to criminology and the justice field, her recent underage drinking research,  Justice Center research projects, Justice Center publications including the Alaska Justice Forum and the Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Fact Sheet, and the resources available on the Justice Center website, and the Justice Center Facebook page and Twitter account. She describes faculty areas of expertise, noting specific research areas such as violence against women, juvenile justice, prisoner reentry, homelessness, and criminalization of marijuana.

The interview includes details about the academic programs at the Justice Center and the bio-behavioral criminology capstone course, as well as the role of Justice faculty in advising students. Dr. Rivera talks about the goal and focus of research and research methodology, provides tips to students about selecting a research topic, outlines research opportunities for students, explains what courses and career options are available to students interested in the justice field, and highlights the activities of the Justice Club and the Pre-Law Society.  She closes the interview by stressing that she and the Justice faculty believe in the importance of students finding something they can feel passionate about and carrying that passion into a career after leaving the university.

"Informania" is a weekly interview show that helps satisfy the need for information. Prof. Mole also selects music to match the theme of the program. Get more information and an archive of past interviews on her blog - "Deb's Informania Radio Show."

Justice Center research cited in First Alaskans magazine profile of Public Safety Commissioner Joe Masters

Data from the Alaska Victimization Survey conducted by the Justice Center is cited in an article in First Alaskans magazine, "Alaska's Top Cop," about Alaska Department of Public Safety Commissioner Joe Masters. The magazine is a publication of the First Alaskans Institute.

The June/July 2012 issue features a profile of Commissioner Masters and his efforts to fight violence against women and to increase the number of Village Public Safety Officers (VPSOs) in Alaska villages.  Commissioner Masters was an early advocate of the need for a victimization survey in Alaska. Update: The article was republished online by the Alaska Dispatch on 16 Oct 2012.

The Alaska Victimization Survey is an ongoing research project of the Justice Center.  Results are available for the 2010 statewide estimates, and 2011 estimates from Bristol Bay, the City of Fairbanks, the Fairbanks North Star Borough, the City and Borough of Juneau, and the Municipality of Anchorage.

Justice Center readies for 2012 campus kickoff

The Justice Center will be at the 2012 Campus Kickoff on Saturday, August 25, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on the Cuddy Quad.  Faculty members will be at the Justice Center booth to speak with students about our programs and options.

This year's Campus Kickoff features food, information booths, prizes, and live entertainment. Dont' miss "Butt Sketcher" - the original butt sketch artist, and the band "Vintage Trouble"!  See you there!

Justice Center acknowledged in Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium report on "Healthy Native Families"

The Justice Center was acknowledged in a recent report from the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Alaska Native Epidemiology Center, Healthy Native Families: Preventing Violence At All Ages.

This publication presents for the first time consolidated data on domestic and sexual violence affecting Alaska Native people of all age ranges. Key recommendations for prevention, intervention, and assessment of these efforts are outlined in this report.

David Kaczynski, brother of the so-called "Unabomber," spoke to students at National Criminal Justice Month kickoff event March 1

David Kaczynski speaking to the audience.

David Kaczynski, brother of the so-called "Unabomber," spoke to about 80 students and members of the public at the kickoff event for National Criminal Justice Month on March 1 on campus.  Mr. Kaczynski and his wife, philosophy professor, Dr. Linda Patrik, talked about how they came to the realization that David's brother, Ted, might be the "Unabomber," their ultimate decision to talk to the FBI, and their struggle to ensure that Ted would not receive the death penalty.

L to r: Dr. Linda Patrik, wife of David Kaczynski;
Sam Peters, President of Justice Club, co-sponsor of the event;
and David Kaczynski, after the program.

While sharing his personal story of growing up with his brother, Ted, Mr. Kaczynski described how his involvement in his brother's trial led him to his work as Executive Director for New Yorkers for Alternatives to the Death Penalty and his efforts to improve rehabilitation and reentry services for prisoners.

L to r: Bill Babbitt, anti-death penalty activist from Boston who
who often works with David Kaczynski; David Kaczynski;
Dr. Linda Patrik, David's wife; Dr. Troy Payne,
UAA Justice Club Co-advisor.

This event was presented in cooperation with Alaskans Against the Death Penalty.
 

The Justice Center and the UAA Justice Club are co-sponsoring a series of presentations during March in recognition of National Criminal Justice Month.

All events are free and open to UAA students, faculty, staff, and the public.

  
Upcoming Presentations:

Friday, March 23, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
 Substance Abuse and the Courts - Wellness Court
     Judge William Morse, Wellness Court, 3rd Judicial District
     Dr. Marny Rivera, Justice Center faculty

Monday, March 26, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
 A Look at State and Local Law Enforcement in Alaska
     Col. Keith Mallard, Alaska State Troopers
     Chief Mark Mew, Anchorage Police Department

Thursday, March 29, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
 A Look at Federal Law Enforcement in Alaska
     Special Agent Eric Gonzales, Chief Division Counsel, FBI
     Deputy U.S. Marshal Jimmy Johnson, U.S. Marshals Service
     Group Supervisor Todd Jones, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

The series will be held in the UAA/APU Consortium Library, 3rd floor, LIB 307.  Parking is free in the library surface lots.

McLaughlin Youth Center superintendent discusses school discipline and the connection to delinquency on March 7

The Justice Center and Justice Club present this week the second in a series of events for National Criminal Justice Month. 

All events are free and open to UAA students, faculty, staff, and the public. The series will be held in the UAA/APU Consortium Library, 3rd floor, LIB 307. Parking is free in the library surface lots.

Wednesday, March 7, 6:30–7:30 p.m. 
UAA/APU Consortium Library, LIB 307

Zero Tolerance at Schools - School Discipline and the Delinquency Connection

     Dean Williams, Superintendent, McLaughlin Youth Center

Superintendent Williams discusses the zero tolerance policy in schools which results in suspensions or expulsions of students and the relationship to juvenile delinquency.

David Kaczynski, brother of so-called "Unabomber," speaks at kickoff event Thursday, March 1 for National Criminal Justice Month

The Justice Center and the UAA Justice Club are co-sponsoring a series of events during March in recognition of National Criminal Justice Month. 

All events are free and open to UAA students, faculty, staff, and the public. The series will be held in the UAA/APU Consortium Library, 3rd floor, LIB 307.  Parking is free in the library surface lots.

Kick-off Event

Thursday, March 1, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. 

"My Personal Story" — David Kaczynski, brother of the so-called "Unabomber"

David Kaczynski shares his personal story of growing up with his brother, Ted.  David is the Executive Director for New Yorkers for Alternatives to the Death Penalty and is a frequent lecturer and published author and poet.

Presented in cooperation with Alaskans Against the Death Penalty.

Justice Center holds 2nd annual series of events in March for National Criminal Justice Month

The Justice Center and the UAA Justice Club are co-sponsoring a series of events during March in recognition of National Criminal Justice Month. 

All events are free and open to UAA students, faculty, staff, and the public. The series will be held in the UAA/APU Consortium Library, 3rd floor, LIB 307.

Kick-off Event

Thursday, March 1, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. 

"My Personal Story" — David Kaczynski, brother of the so-called "Unabomber"

David Kaczynski shares his personal story of growing up with his brother, Ted.  David is the Executive Director for New Yorkers for Alternatives to the Death Penalty and is a frequent lecturer and published author and poet.

Presented in cooperation with Alaskans Against the Death Penalty.




Wednesday, March 7, 6:30–7:30 p.m.

Zero Tolerance at Schools - School Discipline and the Delinquency Connection

     Dean Williams, Superintendent, McLaughlin Youth Center

Friday, March 23, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
 Substance Abuse and the Courts - Wellness Court
     Judge William Morse, Wellness Court, 3rd Judicial District
     Dr. Marny Rivera, Justice Center faculty

Monday, March 26, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
 A Look at State and Local Law Enforcement in Alaska
     Col. Keith Mallard, Alaska State Troopers
     Chief Mark Mew, Anchorage Police Department

Thursday, March 29, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
 A Look at Federal Law Enforcement in Alaska
     Special Agent Eric Gonzales, Chief Division Counsel, FBI
     Deputy U.S. Marshal Jimmy Johnson, U.S. Marshals Service
     Group Supervisor Todd Jones, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

Parking is free in surface lots by the Consortium Library.

For more information, call the Justice Center at 786-1815.

Justice Center faculty and staff meet with College of Health Dean

L to r: College of Health Assistant Dean of Student Affairs Russ Pressley, Interim Dean Bill Hogan,
and Associate Dean Susan Kaplan check last minute details before the meeting begins.

Justice Center faculty and staff met with College of Health Interim Dean Bill Hogan, Associate Dean Susan Kaplan, and Assistant Dean of Student Affairs Russ Pressley on December 19 to share information about the Justice Center's mission and accomplishments, and to discuss the new College of Health programs. Dr. André Rosay, Justice Center Director,  made a presentation highlighting the Center's current projects, research, and publications, and outlining the return on investment made by the Center during the year. The Justice Center is under the newly re-organized College of Health.

Justice Center Director André Rosay and Statistical Analysis Center Director Alan McKelvie listen to comments
by Dean Hogan.

College of Health Interim Dean Bill Hogan discusses transdisciplinary work in the college.

Associate Dean of Student Affairs Russ Pressley outlines the new "one stop shopping" center that will
be set up for academic counseling and advising of  College of Health students.

L to r: Interim Dean Bill Hogan and Justice Center Director André Rosay pause after the meeting.

2011 Justice Center annual reception for university and community partners

The Justice Center held its annual reception for university and community partners on May 3, 2011 in the UAA/APU Consortium Library Atrium. The event provided the opportunity to meet and thank the many individuals, agencies, and organizations with whom the Justice Center works.

Below is a slideshow of the event. Photos by Melissa Green and Barbara Armstrong
.