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Planning for our fall conference is underway with ... Girdwood, Alaska, as the tentative conference location. The Alyeska Resort is ... situated on more than 1,500 acres, surrounded by majestic mountains, hanging glaciers, sparkling streams and towering spruce. |
State Reports...  Planning for our fall conference is underway with
October 24, 25, 26, 2002 as the selected dates, and
Girdwood, Alaska, as the tentative conference location.
Girdwood is a beautiful, quaint, little resort town. The
Alyeska Resort is Alaska's only AAA four-diamond hotel,
is situated on more than 1,500 acres, surrounded by
majestic mountains, hanging glaciers, sparkling streams
and towering spruce. We can experience a breathtaking
one-mile ride up Mt. Alyeska on an aerial tramway, with
sweeping views of Glacier Valley and Turnagain Arm, provided
the weather is cooperative. If open, we can ride the
tram to the top and have lunch at the casual Glaciers
Express restaurant. An outdoor deck provides the perfect
venue for taking in the glorious scenery. Snow is just a
few steps away at this 2,300-foot elevation.Discussions have and will continue regarding hosting the NASFAA/WASFAA Fall training in October right before ALASFAA's Fall conference. They have always provided detailed, interesting sessions and we are looking forward to their Fall series. Alaska Pacific University will host the Department of Education's Tools for Ensuring Program Integrity training July 30, 31, 2002. Registrations for this training is currently taking place. The training will focus on a variety of topics critical to ensuring aid is awarded correctly. Among the areas to be covered are resolving CPS eligibility edits, NSLDS transfer monitoring, and verification policy, to mention a few. Jackie Alleyne-McCants of the University of Alaska-Anchorage won the EDAC scholarship to Summer institute. Connie Cannon of Matanuska-Susitna College and Joe Stebbins of Alaska Pacific University won the ALASFAA scholarships to Summer institute. Congratulations to all, as Summer institute is a wonderful learning, networking experience. The University of Alaska-Anchorage is in the planning stages of going to a "one-stop Charlie" for their financial aid, accounting, enrollment services and technical center. Plans to move the four departments to the University Center Mall, a site which is 1.3 miles from the University, is convenient, however detached from the campus environment. To get to the Mall from the University is very easy because both are nearly on the same street. The University Mall was for sale last year and there were 3 major parties interested; a church, an investment group and the University. The investment group won the bid. The University was very disappointed because additional space is sorely needed for classrooms and offices. Shortly thereafter, the investment group had a change of heart and decided to allow the University to purchase 90,000 square feet of the Mall's south end. Much to the delight of the University, a purchase plan was put into motion. Final stages of the arrangement are being worked through. This decision has raised many eyebrows with 50% of the staff giving a rousing applause and 50% tongue-in-cheek. Those in agreement see this as a wonderful idea because there is gobs of free parking; (currently the on-campus parking fee is $130 per two semesters). Secondly, the location is convenient for all drivers. Those opposing the idea see this as a severing of our on campus visibility, and negatively impacting our students; however, the Board of Regents are still wrangling with the idea of possibly having a satellite office on campus. We have a very small number of students in campus housing, of which most drive. Due to restraints and constraints, we still only have two officers, president and secretary-treasurer. |
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