SSSC Survives Governor's Veto

The Sitka Sound Science Center, formed upon SJ(C?)'s closure will receive $250,000.00 from the state of Alaska to further organizational objectives. Members include former SJ(C) faculty and staff including Keith Cox, Scott Harris, Kitty LaBounty, and Marissa Chelius.

Excellent news, and excellent work.

News on Raven Radio

Here are 3 links to recent news stories on Raven Radio in regards to the former Sheldon Jackson College.

Timeline set for sale of Sheldon Jackson's core campus

Sheldon Jackson campus subject to property taxes

SJ tax appeal: College still striving to educate

SJ(C?) loses appeal to city regarding property taxes

According to a Sitka Sentinel article published Tuesday, May 7, The City Assembly upheld an earlier decision by the City Assessor to levy property taxes on SJ(C?) property, assessed at a value of $17 million.

Back in January, the Assembly determined that SJ(C?) was no longer an educational institution, which had been the basis for its exempt status. As a result, the Assessor determined that SJ(C?) owed taxes and the former college appealed. The amount owed this year is just over $100k.

The Sage / Hatchery facility remains exempt.

SJ(C?) can appeal in Superior Court.

Survey

A past donor of SJ passed this survey onto me today. I’m posting it here in hopes that many of you will print the survey, fill it out and send it to the UAA Address.

Click to enlarge.

E-Newsletter

Chilkat Services advertised that they would send out e-newsletters in April. Did anyone get one? I signed up but never received one in April, so I’m checking to see if one was sent out.

Commencement

This is surely a bittersweet time for many. Several former SJ(C?) students survived the closure of their college, and will graduate in the coming weeks. I am very proud of them, and humbled. These students were placed in the worst of circumstances and refused to be defined by them. SJ(C?) failed them, but they did not fail themselves.

I would encourage everyone to celebrate their success in Sitka, Juneau, Anchorage, and all points in between.

APU - Held April 26th.

UAS Sitka Commencement: Friday, May 2, 7:00PM - Sheet'ka Kwaán Naa Kahídi

UAS Juneau Commencement: Sunday, May 4, 2:00PM - UAS Recreation Center