The senate meetings on Feb. 6 and Feb. 13 were centered around discussions of how the student senate will dispense the available funding to other parties on campus who request assistance. Conversation focused on how the senators can remain responsible heralds of their budget money, which is at least partially composed of money allocated from student fees.
“In senate, we are dealing with thousands of dollars of student fees and I believe we should be taking that money very seriously,” Elise Waikart, the College of Engineering, Applied Science and Technology senator, said.
Waikart said it is essential the senators, as a group, ask the hard questions and give
the appropriate amount of consideration to their constituents when voting on funding requests brought to the Senate floor.
During the Feb. 6 meeting, a funding request from the College of Science that was presented in the prior legislative session was revisited. The funding request for their annual house party event was tabled to be voted on during the meeting on Feb. 13 so the total amount asked could be revised in light of the senate’s dwindling budget and to allow the College of Science more time to seek funding from other resources.
When it came time to revisit the College of Science’s funding request, College of Science Senator Emily Hiatt asked Executive Vice President Garrett Potokar what the remaining budget was. Potokar confirmed the budget at
that time was $368.18.
With further consideration being made for the senate’s budget at the time, Hiatt asked that the total amount of money in the funding request be amended to $150. After the total amount was amended, the funding request was unanimously passed. After passing the College of Science’s funding request, the amount of funds available to the senators for funding requests for the rest of the semester is down to just over $200.
In legislation news, the senate meetings on Feb. 6 and Feb. 13 featured lengthy discussions about the specifics of the bill introduced by Veteran Student Senator Jessica Dye during the meeting on Jan. 30. The bill would allow student senators to participate as voting members of a legislative session
through attending virtually due to an emergency or extenuating circumstance.
During the meeting on Feb. 6, concerns were voiced about the technicalities of making a virtual option viable in terms of making sure that senators attending meetings virtually will be able to fully participate. A motion was successfully made to table voting on the bill until the Feb. 13 meeting.
When it came time to vote on the virtual voting bill during the meeting on Feb. 13, it was again tabled until the next legislative session. Since President’s Day is on Feb. 20, the next legislative session will take place on Feb. 27.
Editor’s Note: In our Feb. 14 issue one of the love notes was inadvertently cut off. Here is the full text:By MCKINNA BAIRD Reporter
A town hall meeting was held on Feb. 14 over Zoom to present Weber State University’s new “Aligning to Amplify” plan. As presented by WSU President Brad Mortensen, this plan aims to promote collaboration between Academic Affairs and the soon-to-berenamed Student Affairs.
Through this plan, the administration hopes to help students navigate WSU resources on campus and online more efficiently, therefore increasing student retention.
“I’m really committed to pushing forward to have Weber State be a place where students — no matter their income, their race, their ethnicity, their backgrounds — they have the same opportunity for access to
our programs and be successful in our programs,” Mortensen said.
Aligning to Amplify responds to data trends showing a steady decline in Weber State enrollment, despite high participation in concurrent enrollment programs. The plan also focuses on the high number of students who attend some college, but do not attain a degree.
Data presented at the meeting also showed predictions that as high school graduate numbers decrease throughout the next decade, colleges will be dealing with more intense competition than ever before.
With these trends and predictions in mind, Aligning to Amplify will reorganize divisions of Student Affairs and Academic Affairs. As part of this reorganization, the Student Affairs department will be renamed and a new position will be created for the
update.
This reorganization is also designed to promote collaboration between the departments, such as more direct reporting between them.
As the plan is executed, the administration will continue to assess current efforts.
Following the update of Student Affairs, Student Success coaches plan to be introduced to the students of Weber State. These coaches will focus on helping students to navigate Weber’s non-academic resources such as the food pantry, housing, FAFSA resources and more.
A survey was conducted among students, faculty and staff concerning the renaming of the Student Affairs department. Overall, the most popular option across the populations surveyed was changing the name to Student Access and Success. The final decision, how-
ever, will fall on Mortensen.
Execution for Aligning to Amplify is expected to begin in July, starting with budgets and position adjustments, as well as the posting of the new division’s vice president position.
“I think, overall, the challenge is that change is hard,” Mortensen said. “I can understand that this does introduce some ambiguity and some uncertainty … and to me, that’s really the biggest challenge. By being able to try to adapt and move forward, but knowing at the same time that we may need to adapt again, to have that open conversation and try to find the best way to move forward together is something that I’m very committed to.”
Weber State University’s commitment to environmental sustainability is well-known among the Wildcat Family. The campus goal of being carbon-neutral by 2040 is motivated by the “Clear the Air Challenge,” which takes place each February.
Analeah Vaughn, WSU’s sustainability coordinator and Green Department Certification Program manager, recently held a presentation in the Shepherd Union Building.
“February is the Transportation and Air Quality Month, and we like to bring awareness to air
quality,” Vaughn said. “It was created by the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce. Usually, they do it in July; however, since most of our students are off campus, … we do it in February.”
According to Vaughn, the goal of the Clear the Air Challenge is to promote alternative transportation, or what she refers to as “active transportation.” This includes but is not limited to walking, scootering, public transportation, riding the bus, and carpooling.
Student sustainability coordinator Korynn Martinez was inspired to become involved in WSU sustainability after seeing the waste produced in healthcare.
“Coming from a nursing major, and one thing that I noticed was that there was a lot of waste and there was a lot of health and wellness that was not being taken care of.” Martinez said.
“From what I experienced, there is numerous food waste and there’s tons of biohazard waste and a lot of plastic waste. Everything is single use, especially in healthcare facilities, and that waste really started to build up in my mind over the years.”
There are four clubs that focus on sustainability at WSU: Environmental Ambassadors, Food Recovery Network, Community Garden Club and Citizens Climate Lobby WSU Chapter. According
to Martinez, there is something for everyone on campus, regardless of their availability, even if you only have time to hang a few fliers each month.
“Everybody can get involved as much as they would like at any time,” Martinez said. “There is room for everybody and there are no requirements involved.”
WSU’s Clear the Air Challenge is part of the Energy and Sustainability Office’s theme for this month, and a challenge to impact air quality statewide. Each month, there is a new theme for students, faculty and staff to keep up on.
Analeah Vaughn (right) the Sustainability Coordinator and Green Department Program Manager at WSU, and Korynn Martinez (left) a student sustainability coordinator at the sustainability office at WSU promote the Clear the Air ‘23 challenge, Jan. 31. ADAM RUBIN | The Signpost By GRETA MONJAR ReporterAcademic Peer Coaching is a program at Weber State University designed to help students through challenges that come with college life. Through the program, students can meet with certified peer coaches or listen to the new College Opportunities and Cultivating Habits podcast.
COACH, which started in fall 2022, adds a convenient form of student aid, allowing students to listen on their commute to school, at the gym, for a Wildcat date night and more. The podcast episodes share tips for college students to succeed, as well as share information about additional student resources on campus.
“It’s like super quick little sessions with
us, but in podcasts, if they don’t have time to meet with us,” Katelynn Ewell, a certified peer educator and WSU junior, said. “They can go onto the podcasting site, and they can find, like, say they’re struggling with motivation. We have a ton of podcasts on motivation.”
The skills shared by Academic Peer Coaches are different from the ones tutors may give students. Instead of course-specific aid, coaches will give general help on becoming a better student.
“It’s always good to have an extra pair of eyes to figure out how you can improve in your studies and as a student, and it’s always nice to have an accountability buddy as well,” Ewell said.
If a professor thinks a student could benefit from this resource, they can refer stu-
dents to the Academic Peer Coaching team through Starfish.
“What we really do is mostly in-class and out-of-class strategies,” Ewell said. “So let’s say you’re struggling with procrastination. We’re great to meet with for that. We talk about test-taking strategies, time management, basically how to succeed as a student.”
Coaches are available to meet with students for one-on-one meetings. Coaching sessions can be in person or conducted virtually. Saxony Ruckman, a certified peer educator and WSU junior, encouraged students to take advantage of the resource.
“Our focus is academic and … college stuff, but it’s also stuff that’s applicable to everywhere,” Ruckman said. “We talk about time management. You’re going to deal with that forever, so it’s really a good resource for
students to build a base as they work into their careers and that kind of stuff.”
The coaches are looking for faculty members, club members, mentors and other individuals involved in WSU organizations to interview on their podcast. Individuals interested in being a part of COACH can email coaching@weber.edu.
To set up a meeting with a certified coach or to access the podcast go to weber.edu/ academicpeercoaching or Apple Podcasts. Follow @wsuacademicpeercoaching on Instagram to stay updated on COACH as well as resources available through the program.
Academic Peer Coaching es un programa de la universidad de Weber State diseñado para ayudar a los estudiantes a superar los desafíos que conlleva la vida universitaria. A través del programa, los estudiantes pueden reunirse con entrenadores pares certificados o escuchar el nuevo podcast College Opportunities and Cultivating Habits.
COACH, que comenzó en el otoño de 2022, adiciona una forma conveniente de ayuda para estudiantes, permitiéndoles escuchar en su ida a la escuela, en el gimnasio, para una cita nocturna Wildcat y más. Los episodios del podcast comparten consejos para que los estudiantes universitarios tengan éxito, así como información sobre recursos estudiantiles adicionales en el campus.
“Son como pequeñas sesiones súper rápidas con nosotros, pero en forma de podcasts, si no tienen tiempo para reunirse con nosotros”, dijo Katelynn Ewell, una educadora par certificada y junior de WSU. “Pueden ir al sitio de podcasting y pueden encontrar, digamos, que están luchando con la motivación. Tenemos un montón de podcasts sobre motivación”.
Las habilidades compartidas por los Entrenadores Pares Académicos son diferentes de las que los tutores pueden dar a los estudiantes. En lugar de ayuda específica del curso, los entrenadores brindarán ayuda general para convertirse en un mejor estudiante.
“Siempre es bueno tener un par de ojos extra para descubrir cómo puedes mejorar en tus estudios y como estudiante, y también es bueno tener un compañero responsable”, dijo Ewell.
Si un profesor cree que un estudiante
podría beneficiarse de este recurso, ellos pueden referir a los estudiantes al equipo de Coaching Académico de Pares a través de Starfish.
“Lo que realmente hacemos son principalmente estrategias dentro y fuera de la clase”, dijo Ewell. “Así que, digamos que estás luchando con la procrastinación. Nosotros estaríamos encantados de ayudarte con eso. Hablamos de estrategias para tomar exámenes, administración del tiempo, básicamente cómo tener éxito como estudiante”.
Los entrenadores están disponibles para reunirse con los estudiantes en reuniones individuales. Las sesiones de coaching pueden ser presenciales o virtuales. Saxony Ruckman, educadora de pares certificada y junior de WSU, alentó a los estudiantes a aprovechar el recurso.
“Nuestro enfoque es académico y… cosas universitarias, pero también son cosas que se aplican a todas partes”, dijo Ruckman.
“Hablamos de la gestión del tiempo. Vas a lidiar con eso para siempre, por lo que es realmente un buen recurso para que los estudiantes construyan una base a medida que trabajan en sus carreras y ese tipo de cosas”.
Los entrenadores están buscando miembros de la facultad, miembros del club, mentores y otras personas involucradas en las organizaciones de WSU para entrevistar en su podcast. Las personas interesadas en ser parte de COACH pueden enviar un correo electrónico a coaching@weber.edu. Para programar una reunión con un entrenador certificado o para acceder al podcast, vaya a weber.edu/academicpeercoaching o Apple Podcasts. Siga a @wsuacademicpeercoaching en Instagram para mantenerse actualizado sobre COACH y los recursos disponibles a través del programa.
Weber State University students have experienced a series of cold weather conditions over the beginning of the spring 2023 semester that does not seem to be going away anytime soon.
“I’m sick of the cold, and I wish Utah would make up its mind on the weather,”
Kyle Heaney, a student at WSU, said. Students, faculty and staff can prepare for the upcoming chilly walks between buildings on campus by keeping an eye on the local weather forecast and dressing accordingly. According to the National Weather Service, the lowest temperature of the week for Ogden is predicted to be on Feb. 22 with a temperature of 5 degrees Fahrenheit.
“My hands are always freezing cold,” Sara
Allen, a WSU student, said. “It feels like my hands are going to fall off the longer I am out here.”
When will Ogden campus start to see the first signs of spring? Last year, it wasn’t until March 3 that the temperature started rising to the 40s and above, with occasional low temperatures as low as 20 degrees fahrenheit, according to the National Weather Service.
The well-known groundhog, Punxsutaw-
ney Phil, announced on Feb. 2 there would be another six weeks of winter. Students should have already started to feel the warmth of spring by now.
Hopefully, if this upcoming spring is anything like 2022, the warmth of spring is right around the corner!
Los estudiantes de la Universidad Estatal Weber han experimentado una serie de condiciones climáticas frías durante el comienzo del semestre de primavera 2023 que no parece que vaya a desaparecer pronto.
“Estoy harto del frío y me gustaría que Utah se decidiera por el clima”, dijo Kyle Heaney, estudiante de WSU.
Los estudiantes, los profesores y el personal pueden prepararse para los próximos fríos paseos entre los edificios del campus echando un ojo a la previsión meteorológica local y vistiéndose en consecuencia.
Según el Servicio Meteorológico Nacional, la temperatura más baja de la semana para Ogden se prevé que sea el 22 de febrero con una temperatura de 5 grados Fahrenheit.
“Mis manos siempre están heladas”, dijo Sara Allen, estudiante de la WSU. “Siento como si se me fueran a caer las manos cuanto más tiempo estoy aquí fuera”.
¿Cuándo empezará el campus de Ogden a ver los primeros signos de la primavera? El año pasado, no fue hasta el 3 de marzo cuando la temperatura empezó a subir hasta los 40 y más, con temperaturas mínimas ocasionales de hasta 20 grados fahrenheit, según el Servicio Meteorológico Nacional.
La conocida marmota, Punxsutawney Phil, anunció el 2 de febrero que habría
otras seis semanas de invierno. Los estudiantes ya deberían haber empezado a sentir el calor de la primavera. Esperemos que, si esta primavera se parece en algo a la de 2022, el calor primaveral esté a la vuelta de la esquina.
STORY AND PHOTOS BY KENNEDY CAMARENA
The National Basketball Association’s trade deadline officially ended on Feb. 9. Many blockbuster deals took place, but the most noticeable ones involved guard Kyrie Irving and forward Kevin Durant, two superstars from the Brooklyn Nets.
It’s significant any time two players likely to be inducted into the Hall of Fame are traded. However, these two were different. At one point, the Nets were seen as basketball’s greatest powerhouse. Now, the team will forever be viewed as the greatest failure in NBA history.
Irving was traded to the Dallas Mavericks and Durant to the Phoenix Suns, making the Suns the favorite in the Western Conference and changing the landscape of the entire NBA.
In 2019, Irving and Durant decided to join Brooklyn. With Durant still rehabbing from an Achilles injury, no one expected a championship their first year.
Durant and Irving returned in 2020 and were the favorites to win the NBA championship. These odds increased when the Nets traded all of their young assets to sign another superstar talent in guard James Harden, making them a nuclear force.
During the regular season, the Nets managed to get to the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. Brooklyn then beat the Boston Celtics in five games in the first round.
In the second round, Irving and Harden were hurt, leaving Durant to fly solo. The Nets lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in seven games. They were up 2–1 before the Irving injury that cost them a ring.
During all this, the world was on fire from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The following season, a vaccine mandate was put in place, so players had to get vaccinated to play home games in New York. Irving decided he didn’t want to get vaccinated.
The team wasn’t satisfied with where they were in the standings for a few months, so Irving came in to play only away games.
The Nets were still a top seed until Durant got hurt and Harden hurt his hamstring. The 2022 trade deadline came around, and Harden asked to be traded, marking the be-
