Kenai Peninsula College’s campuses will implement the “UA Smoke-Free/Tobacco-Free Campuses” policy on the last day of 2015. KPC’s Anchorage Extension Site, located in the University Center, will follow UAA’s Anchorage campus, Kodiak College and Mat-Su College’s implementation date, Nov. 19, which coincides with the Great American Smoke-out.

“I requested, and the chancellor approved, the Dec. 31 implementation date for our campuses.

The rationale was that starting Nov. 19, which is the middle of the semester, like UAA plans or doing it or Dec. 1, which is just before finals, like some other campuses, is not good timing. When students, faculty and staff return in January the policy will be in place. UAF and Prince William Sound College will also implement on Dec. 31. The longer implementation date allows more time for an education/communication plan to be successful,” said Gary J. Turner, KPC director.

In accordance with UA Board of Regents regulation 05.12.102, tobacco use and smoking, including the use of electronic cigarettes and similar products, will be prohibited on all University of Alaska property. To review the new BOR policy, visit this link: https://www.alaska.edu/bor/policy/05-12.pdf.

Exhibit in G.L. Freeburg gallery

Cam Choy, KRC associate professor of art, would like to encourage the public to attend the opening reception of artist Kaitlin Vadla’s exhibition, “Resources.” The event will be from 4:30-6 p.m. on Nov. 5.

The gallery, located in KRC’s Brockel Building, is open from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday. Vadla’s exhibit will run through Nov. 20.

For more information, contact Choy at 262-0274 or email cchoy2@kpc.alaska.edu.

Upcoming KPC Showcase events

Dave Atcheson, coordinator of the KPC Showcase, in conjunction with Sondra Shaginoff-Stuart, KPC Alaska Native and Rural Student Services coordinator, the KPC Multicultural Consortium and the UAA Diversity Action Council, invites the public to a series of free events during November designed to recognize and celebrate American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month.

Artist June Pardue will be hosting a public presentation and workshop on the topic, “Native Creations and Reflections: Beading Cabochons.” The presentation will be held at 7 p.m. on Nov. 12 in the McLane commons and the workshop will be held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Nov. 13.

A language gathering, focused on empowerment through deeper understanding of cultural perspectives, will be held from 5:30-7:15 p.m. on Nov. 19 in the McLane commons. The event will be hosted by Karen Evenoff, Dena’ina anthropologist, and Dr. Alan Boraas, KRC professor of anthropology.

For more information about either of these events, contact Shaginoff-Stuart at 262-0313 or email slshaginoffstuart@kpc.alaska.edu.

Eighth annual Winter Health Fair

For the past several years, the Kenai River Campus has hosted two health fairs, one scheduled mid-week and another on Saturday to provide for people whose workday did not allow them to take advantage of the opportunity to attend. This year, the Saturday Health Fair is scheduled for 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Nov. 7, 2015 in the McLane and Brockel commons.

According to Audrey Standerfer, R.N. and KRC Health Clinic coordinator, more than 20 organizations will provide free vision, hearing, blood pressure and height and weights checks and provide health information.

Low cost blood tests will also be available, with blood draws available between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. There will also be experts available to provide information about the Affordable Health Care Act.

Standerfer reports that the Providence Mammography unit will be available. More information about setting up appointments will be provided as it becomes available.

Questions can be directed to Standerfer at 262-0362 or email astander@kpc.alaska.edu.