Module 6 – Campus Life
Your Campus. Your Life.
Earning a degree should be your first priority as a student at UAF, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take advantage of UAF’s vibrant campus life. With over 100 student clubs and organizations and more than 600 events taking place every year, there’s almost always something going on to keep you entertained and engaged.
Get Involved!
Why? Research suggests that students who get involved on campus have a better GPA, graduate sooner and have a better college experience. Plus, it’s a really great way to build skills that pay off when the time comes to get a job after graduation. If you’re an online student, you might consider how you can find these experiences in your own community.
Top reasons to get involved on campus:
- Leadership skills
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Stay engaged and connected
- Discover passions and strengths
- Make friends
- Have fun!
Top Skills Employers Look For:
- Ability to work in a team
- Problem-solving skills
- Written communication skills
- Strong work ethic
- Leadership
- Initiative
- Verbal communication skill
Check it out!
Get an inside look at life on campus through the experiences of current students:
- Student Ambassador Blog
- Read about life as a UAF student as told by current UAF students.
- Student Ambassador Vlog: Nanook Tales
- Get the inside scoop on classes, concerts, study sessions, labs, outdoor adventures and more – no marketing filter, just student stories.
- Virtual Tour
- Can’t visit us in person? Then our virtual tour is for you. Our maps, videos, photos and 360s will help you get acquainted with our Fairbanks campus.
Ways to Get Involved
No matter what your interests are, there’s a way for you to get involved on campus. Click the tabs below to learn more about involvement opportunities at UAF.
- Student Organizations
- Nanook Traditions
- Leadership Development
- Live on Campus
- Student Government
- Recreation, Adventure and Wellness
- Campus Media
- Nanook DIversity and Action Center
Student Organizations
With more than 100 student organizations and clubs, there’s something for everyone. Go green with our nationally acclaimed sustainability program, become a DJ, practice karate or cook up something in culinary arts.
- List of student organizations: https://uaf.edu/live/clubs/list/
- Can’t find a student organization that interests you? Start your own!
- OrgSync is an online community platform for UAF that helps you connect with student organizations and events. Join today!
Nanook Traditions
Starvation Gulch
Huge bonfires kick off the school year and serve as a symbol of the passing of the torch of knowledge to new students. Starvation Gulch is UAF’s oldest tradition, dating back to 1924
Winter Carnival
Break the monotony of the Fairbanks winter with invigorating and entertaining activities in February ranging from ice climbing to dog mushing and everything in between.
SpringFest
Celebrate the end of the year with a watermelon drop, mud volleyball, Field Day and more! SpringFest is a great way to relax and let off a little stress before finals.
Leadership Development
The Student Leadership and Involvement Program supports leadership development by creating and supporting a rich variety of leadership and volunteer opportunities for UAF students, from student leadership conferences to Alternative Spring Break.
The Student Leadership and Involvement program also provide students an opportunity to graduate with leadership honors via Co-Curricular Opportunities for Leadership Development (COLD) Certificates. The COLD Experience will allow participants to advance their knowledge and skills with regard to effective intellectual and cultural leadership. In addition, this co-curricular certificate program will encourage students to be more productive thinkers and to become more civically engaged.
Live on Campus
Living on campus is not only convenient and affordable, it’s a great way to find a home within the university community and make new friends. National research also shows that students who live on campus do better in their classes and graduate sooner than their peers living off campus.
UAF’s residence halls vary in size from the 320-resident Moore Hall to Sustainable Village with just 16 residents. More info at Residential Life.
Benefits of living on campus:
- Academic Success
According to research, on-campus students do better academically than their peers who live off-campus. Nationally, as well as at UAF, students who live on campus persist in school and have a higher graduation rate than those who do not. On-campus students find it easier to take advantage of academic assistance services and also get increased motivation by working alongside their peers. - Safety and Security
Residence halls are locked 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Residents are issued a PolarExpress card, which grants them entrance to their residence hall. Guests and visitors must be escorted at all times. Exterior entrances to halls are checked nightly by Security Officers. Professional Staff live in each building and resident assistants are on duty each night. Safety awareness programs and evacuation drills occur each semester. - Convenience
Students are within walking distance of classrooms, Rasmuson Library, Wood Center Student Union, Dine Forty-Nine cafeteria, and the Student Recreation Center. - All-Inclusive Cost
Living on campus is often more economical than living off campus. There is no worry about monthly bills — students pay only once a semester! Services such as high-speed internet, cable, water, and electricity are included in this total cost. - Caring Staff
Trained, and professional staff care about each student’s experience at UAF. Staff also provide resources, support and programming to enhance the student experience. - Leadership Development
Beginning in their freshman year, many students build their resume by working for Residence Life or other campus departments. Students learn problem-solving skills and sustainable practices to follow as they are encouraged to take personal responsibility for their community. - Connections
On-campus students get the opportunity to interact on a deeper level with a diverse group of their peers, forming friendships and memories that last a lifetime.
Student Government
The Associated Students of the University of Alaska Fairbanks (ASUAF) runs service departments and programs dedicated to the interests and welfare of UAF students. ASUAF represents UAF students to the university administration, the board of regents and the Alaska Legislature. Officers are selected by the student body in elections held every fall and spring semester.
Recreation, Adventure and Wellness
The Department of Recreation, Adventure and Wellness provides the university community with opportunities and facilities to lead active, healthy lifestyles through sport and recreation on campus and out in the beautiful wilderness of Alaska.
- Intramural Sports
- Outdoor Adventures
- Student Recreation Center
- Patty Center – Pool and Ice Arena
- Wilderness Welcome
Campus Media
UAF has a variety of media outlets to keep students and staff informed and entertained as well as offering opportunities for volunteering. Students produce the weekly Sun Star newspaper and run KSUA, the campus radio station — winner of an MTV Woodie Award! Public broadcasting stations KUAC FM and TV, the first public stations in the state, are headquartered at UAF.
The Nanook Diversity and Action Center (NDAC) ) provides a welcoming space for all members of the UAF community and offers educational programming and other opportunities to transform social concerns into action.
The Nanook Diversity and Action Center is guided by a student group, the Nanook DIversity, and Action Council, and works closely with UAF Green Dot and the Resource and Advocacy Center to raise awareness about sexual violence and prevent power-based personal violence.
Check out the NDAC calendar for upcoming events and programs.
Life in Fairbanks
Fairbanks – Alaska’s second largest city – sits on the banks of the Chena River in the heart of Interior Alaska.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks is an integral part of the Fairbanks community. As a student at UAF, you’ll be able to take advantage of all that Fairbanks has to offer. From the UAF campus, the downtown district is easily accessible via the local bus system and a network of bike trails. Take advantage of the vibrant arts scene. Get out and enjoy the wilderness that surrounds Fairbanks. Learn about the rich Alaska Native culture that’s such a huge part of Fairbanks’ identity. Give back by getting involved in the community. Find your niche and make Fairbanks your home.
Learn more about what Fairbanks has to offer: https://explorefairbanks.com/.
TO COMPLETE THIS MODULE
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