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Feb. 10, 2026
Daylight 7:59:56
Happy Week 5, everyone!
It is crazy that we are in week 5 and are seconds away from 8 hours of daylight!
I hope you're doing great out there. This week, I'm excited to share my weekly newsletter
with our Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability, aka, ORCA.
Love, respect, and setting your own rules this Valentine’s Day
Happy February! Whether you’re celebrating with a partner, hanging out with friends,
or enjoying some hard-earned "me time," Valentine’s Day often puts a spotlight on
our personal relationships.
At the Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability, we want to ensure that your
celebrations are built on a foundation of mutual respect and safety. Navigating the
college social scene can be complex, so here is a quick guide to keeping your heart
(and your boundaries) protected.
Consent: It’s more than just a "Yes" Consent isn’t a one-time box to check; it’s an ongoing conversation. For consent to
be valid, it must be:
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Freely given: Without pressure, manipulation or influence of substances.
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Reversible: Anyone can change their mind at any time, for any reason and that is ok.
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Enthusiastic: It’s about what someone wants to do, not just what they’ll tolerate.
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Specific: Saying yes to one thing doesn't mean saying yes to everything.
Healthy boundaries are "Love Languages" Boundaries aren't walls to keep people out; they are the gates that let the right
people in. A healthy relationship – whether brand new or long-term – respects:
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Emotional boundaries: Feeling safe to express your feelings without being mocked or
gaslit.
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Digital boundaries: Respecting privacy regarding phones, passwords and social media
tags.
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Physical boundaries: Personal space and the right to say "no" to any physical touch.
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Time boundaries: Balancing your relationship with your academics, hobbies and other
friendships; you say how you use your time.
Green flags to look for
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They ask for your opinion before making plans.
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They respect your "no" the first time you say it.
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They encourage you to spend time with your own friends.
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You feel energized, not drained, after spending time together.
Remember, the most important relationship you’ll ever have is the one with yourself.
You deserve to be happy, healthy and respected. Bring that mantra with you wherever
you go.
Speaking of going places, check out this weekend’s Nanook Traditions events! is Feb. 12-14. Enjoy fun, entertaining activities in the beautiful February sun while welcoming the UAF
Class of 2030 at Winter Carnival. These future Nanooks will be on campus for our first-ever Admitted Student Experience, where they’ll dive into everything UAF has to offer.
Stay safe and take care of one another.
Best, The ORCA Team
Things to do:
Each spring, the Student-Faculty Awards Committee solicits nominations for the annual
Outstanding Graduating Student Awards.
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Marion Frances Boswell Memorial Award, Outstanding Bachelor Degree Candidate
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Joel Wiegert Award, Outstanding Associate Degree Candidate
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Gray Tilly Memorial Award, Outstanding Graduating Non-Traditional Student
Additionally ASUAF invites students, faculty and staff to to be the student speaker at UAF's spring Commencement ceremony on May 2. The deadline
for nominations is Sunday, Feb. 15.
Getting civically engaged is a vital part of being an active citizen. If you care
about your community and want to be part of Student Government to make real impacts on student life and campus
decisions, consider running— until March 3! If you want to find out more about student government before committing,
stop into their offices in Wood Center of join their meetings at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays
in Wood Center or .
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