America is rushing to build 670 miles of fencing along the U.S.-Mexican border by the end of the year. The fence — or wall, as critics along the border call it — is to include 370 miles of fencing intended to stop illegal immigrants on foot and 300 miles of vehicle barriers. To speed construction, the Bush administration is using unprecedented authority granted by Congress to waive environmental-, historic- and cultural-protection laws. No one claims that building physical barriers along roughly a third of America's 2,000-mile Southern border will stem illegal immigration by itself, but supporters believe it is an essential first step in "securing the border," providing a critical line of defense against illegal migration, drug smugglers and even terrorists. Opponents see it as a multi-billion-dollar waste that will only shift illegal immigrants toward more dangerous and difficult routes into the country, while doing environmental, cultural and economic damage. Read the Full Report (Subscription Required)

Everyone must "negotiate" and shape their identity as they mature, age, and adapt to fate and circumstance. Together, these books offer timeless and relevant themes of individual and collective identity in America--themes that continue to be important to our communities, state, and nation. 2015-17: Topics of Relevance to "Negotiating Identity Critical Service Learning as a Tool for Identity Exploration. Service learning is widely understood as a way for students to learn about others. But it also provides opportunities for students to learn about their own identities, which shape their service-learning experiences. By David M. Donahue and Tania D. Mitchell, Association of American Colleges and Universities Has Diversity Lost Its Meaning? How does a word become so muddled that it loses much of its meaning? How does it go from communicating something idealistic to something cynical and suspect? word is "diversity," the answer is: through a combination of overuse, imprecision,

inertia and self-serving intentions. By Anna Holmes, New York Times Magazine from Start Talking: A Handbook for Engaging Difficult Dialogues in Higher Education Kay Landis, Editor"Identity Groups": A simple exercise to get everyone thinking together about their cultural, class, ethnic, religious, gender, and other identities. - Before Class: Prepare a list of potential identity groups. groups as well as small, distinctive groups.- Call Out the Groups: Invite members to stand, and invite everyone to notice who is in the group and who is not.- Think about the Groups. Have participants pair off and discuss what's great and what's hard about being in their particular groups, and what they want others never to do, say, or think about their group again.  - Open Discussion: Bring the group make together, and invite people to share. Past Themes and Books Resources for each theme include reader's guides, faculty resources, and supplemental The UAA/APU Books of the Year program is a powerful partnership between the University

of Alaska Anchorage and Alaska Pacific University that brings faculty, staff, and community members together to understand common themes. The books serve as the catalyst for discussions of larger issues of local and internationalcurtains nailsea Our associated programming encourages readers to explore the theme, not just the books,lappljung curtains and provides creative venues and forums for people to express their interpretationscurtain pole rings homebase What Makes Us Unique?browning buckmark shower curtain hooks The Books of the Year program started in 2006 as part of a Ford Foundation Difficult Dialogues initiative --one of only 26 in the country--to provide a safe environment on campusesmade to measure curtains fareham

for discussions of challenging topics. UAA and APU are now national leaders in this Because of our Difficult Dialogues beginnings, we're different than other universityOur goal is to select books that provoke serious discussionhookless shower curtain at walmart about serious issues, rather than providing "introduction to college" exercises orkohls home classics blackout curtain panel a freshman class bonding experience. How Are the Theme and Books Selected? The UAA/APU Faculty Steering Committee participates in a year-long process to select a general theme and two books that support that theme. Relevant to our campuses and community Encourages in-depth discussion of challenging multi-faceted topics Both books must have a balanced approach that foster discussion, not a one-sided view

or polemic about a topic Content and format lends itself to meaningful, innovative teaching in-line with Difficult Dialogues theory and practice Topics have inter-disciplinary appeal Less than 400 pages One of the books is written by a living author who may visit to engage with students, faculty, and the community Books of the Year Events Please let us know if there is an event you would like us to help promote. Visit UAA Advancement for the Books of the Year Podcasts listed below. David Shipler: "Understanding Poverty By Connecting the Dots" Community Forum: "The Challenges of Affordable Childcare in Anchorage for the Working Community Forum: "The Future of Alaska Native Education" Community Forum: "The Future of Subsistence" Byron Mallott: Alaska and Alaska Natives - The Next 50 Years Seawolf Debate Team: "Should the State Devote Resources to Sustain Rural Alaska Villages?" Community Forum: Overcoming the Effects of Colonialism

Community Forum: "The Future of Alaska Native Corporations" We welcome your feedback on our existing programming and faculty support, as well as your suggestions for improving the program. Faculty, please consider sharing your Books of the Year teaching materials on ourPlease contact booksoftheyear@uaa.alaska.edu if you are interested in contributing. Share your talent, passions, and expertise by participating in a community forum, leading a discussion on campus or in the commnity, or partnering with us to develop community and campus programming. Your financial contributions help support our dynamic programming, including visiting authors and innovative resources for faculty.UAA/APU Books of the Year Fund 1. Through the UAA Website. www.uaa.alaska.edu/giving.In response to the question, "Where would you like us to direct your gift?" please select "Other" and type in "UAA/APU Books of the Year Program 20468."Checks should be made to University of Alaska Anchorage with fund number 20468 on