The Signpost: November 16th, 2021

Tuesday | November 16, 2021 | Volume 94 | Issue 81

NEWS » PAGE 4

CULTURE » PAGE 10

SHUTTLING IN A NEW ERA

HIGHLIGHTING NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE

MARISA NELSON The Signpost

The Signpost Archives

2 | MyWeberMedia.com | November 16, 2021

DO YOU KNOW YOUR NEWS? rain and flooding caused what animal to enter people’s homes?

By JOSHUA KAMP Section Editor

1. What European country raised its terrorism threat warning to its second-highest level on Nov. 15 after a bomb in a taxi exploded outside of a hospital? a. U.K.

a. Snakes b. Crocodiles c. Scorpions d. Hippopotami

b. France

3. Schools in India’s capital city of New Delhi moved online for the week of Nov. 15 due to what unfolding crisis?

c. Spain d. Greece 2. Three people died and more than 500 were hospitalized after heavy

a. A recent earthquake b. Increasing school violence

c. Severe air pollution in the city d. Extreme drought conditions 4. What U.S. state’s lawmakers will meet for a week-long special legislative session with the goal of thwarting COVID-19 vaccine mandates? a. Utah

5. Peery’s Egyptian Theater hosted its seventh annual festival dedicated to what “cult classic” movie on Nov. 13? a. “Rocky Horror Picture Show” b. “Dazed and Confused” c. “Plan 9 from Outer Space” d. “The Big Lebowski”

b. Texas c. Alabama d. Florida

REBECCA GONZALES | The Signpost

ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS ON PAGE 19

MyWeberMedia.com | November 15, 2021 | 3 The LDS Institute of Religion at Weber State University

Religion in Life

Wednesday, November 17th

Weekly Devotional Series

12:30 — 1:15 PM Institute Chapel 1302 Edvalson St, Ogden

Sponsored by LDSSA (Latter-day Saint Student Association)

EVERYONE WELCOME! Refreshments will be served

Jim Peterson

LDS Institute of Religion at Weber State University Instructor

MARISA NELSON | The Signpost

4 | MyWeberMedia.com | November 16, 2021

Construction on the OGX stations continues on Ogden campus. UTA will take over taking students from the Dee Event Center and will drop them off in front of the Browning Center.

By MARISA NELSON Managing Editor

The Wildcat Express, the campus shuttle that has been in operation for over 40 years, includes faithful employees Brent Hansen, Wildcat Express shuttle driver, and Ross LaRue, assistant fleet manager, who have been with Weber State University for over 20 years and have mixed feelings about the new OGX line coming to campus.

UTA has previously said they want to take over bussing students from the dorms and the Dee Events Center to campus with the

new OGX line. According to LaRue and Hansen, there are still many unknown aspects when it comes to the employees of the shuttle system and whether they will keep their jobs.

UTA has previously said they want to take over bussing students from the dorms and the Dee Events Center to campus. According to LaRue and Hansen, there are still many unknown aspects when it comes to the employees of the shuttle system and whether they will keep their jobs.

“There’s a lot of possibilities right now.

We’ve told them that we’ll help them find

jobs within the facilities management organization or through our campus,” Weston Woodward, director of Campus Services, said. “A lot of the shuttle bus drivers are already retired from another job, and most of them aren’t looking for a job once our shuttle bus program ends.”

LaRue became the fleet manager in 2004 and has been helping run the shuttles since that time.

“I have mixed emotions, but I can understand some of the reasons why they want to use the BRT. I don’t believe that they’re going to have the same level of service that

we’ve been able to provide,” LaRue said.

LaRue said that during his time here, the shuttle has gone through many shifts. He said the route has changed many times and that they even had two routes — one being more of an express route that ran from the dorms on campus directly to the old social sciences building.

While the Wildcat Express has undergone many changes since it first began over 40 years ago, more are soon to follow with the new OGX coming in to pave the way to a more connected Ogden.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the cam-

MyWeberMedia.com | November 16, 2021 | 5

“But from my experience, most of our ridership comes from kids that drive to the Dee Events Center and park because there is no other parking on campus. So, we try to give them a ride from the Dee Events Center to campus, and I don’t know how UTA is going to handle that,” Hansen said.

He also worries that once the shuttle is back to its full capacity since COVID-19 and students are back to mostly in-person classes, the shuttle and buses will become even more crowded.

Hansen oversees the new route of the Wildcat Express put in place during the pandemic, which runs from the Ogden campus to the Davis campus. Woodward said they hope to continue this service, since many students have started to take advantage of it.

LaRue said that as of now, this shuttle route

will continue.

Both Woodward and LaRue said the UTA will not help the university with field trips or real work experience trips, such as visits to Antelope Island. UTA has not confirmed what will really happen to the part time drivers.

While the full system won’t be fully complete until 2023, the OGX will run from the Browning Center to the Dee Events Center as well as from the campus dorms to the Browning Center in summer 2022. The OGX will affect many on campus, but mostly those who will leave the shuttle system that they have been a part of for years.

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MARISA NELSON | The Signpost

to two stops, there used to be four full-time drivers, who have since left because of personal reasons, resulting in less need for full time drivers. LaRue said that once the fulltime drivers left, they were not replaced.

Hansen said that when he first started at Weber, he and his wife had both lost their jobs. He stumbled upon this job and has really enjoyed being able to have the summers off to spend with his kids.

While Hansen isn’t concerned about his job, per se, he is concerned about the quality and service that will come from UTA, like LaRue. Hansen said that from what he has heard, he feels that UTA wants to cater to students who are already using the transit system and are riding the train and connecting buses to get to campus.

MARISA NELSON | The Signpost

pus shuttle had about 15-17 thousand riders per week, according to Woodward.

The current shuttle system runs from the Dee Events Center to campus every 10-15 minutes. UTA has said that once the OGX is operational in August of 2022 that buses will run every 5 minutes.

While LaRue’s job will evolve, he said that he isn’t worried about finding another job.

He said that some of his drivers have said they are ready to retire from driving anyway and this is a good time to do it, but others are not ready to leave yet.

LaRue said he is mostly concerned with the quality that UTA will provide. He doesn’t feel that their level of service will match what they are currently able to provide.

Hansen is the only full-time shuttle driver left on campus. Before the route was cut

OGX construction continues across campus. The OGX will run from the The Wildcat Express has been in operation for over 40 years and buses stu- Dee Events Center and the campus dorms to the Browning Center in dents from the Dee Event Center to the library on Ogden campus.

August 2022.

WSU Athletics

WSU Athletics

6 | MyWeberMedia.com | November 16, 2021

Dani Nay shown in mid spike, hoping to score for the Wildcats.

Rylin Adams goes in for a kill.

By EMILY MILLER Section Editor

Weber State University’s volleyball team earned a share of their second-straight Big Sky Championship after sweeping Northern Arizona University on Nov. 11 and Southern Utah University on Nov. 13 in three straight sets each.

The Wildcats now sit on a 25-game winning streak at Swenson Gym. The University of Northern Colorado secured their share of the championship title

after their win against the University of Idaho in four sets on Nov. 13.

The Wildcats’ weekend started out by leading the Lumberjacks throughout the entirety of the first set. NAU came close to stealing the lead but weren’t able to before the ‘Cats took the set 25—23.

The following set, the Wildcats were able to give themselves some breathing room and finished out the second set 25—17.

In the third and final set, the Lumberjacks were able to tie the set a total of 11 different times with five lead changes. The Wildcats brought home their third-straight set and closed out the night 25—22.

Rylin Adams led the squad with 10 kills and one block, Emma Mangum collected eight kills and three blocks, Dani Nay had seven kills and one block and Sam Schiess had four kills and three blocks.

On Nov. 13, Weber State took honored some of the best Wildcats to walk through Swenson Gym before taking on their instate rivals.

SUU had a hard time catching up to the Wildcats from the start, with Weber State scoring a 7-point run before the T-Birds got a single point on the board.

It didn’t take long for the ‘Cats to close out the first set 25—18.

History was made for Nay in the second set when she made her third kill of the match, tallying 1,000 career kills for her as a sophomore.

The ‘Cats finished the second set 25—19.

With just one more set between the ‘Cats and the Big Sky Championship, Weber State wasted no time sealing the deal and closed out the third set with their largest margin of a score, 25—14.

“We’ve been getting better every day, and we have been focusing on that,” Adams said. “ I’m really happy with where we’re at.

It feels good, and it’s definitely sad leading up to senior day. I’ve never started a match

WSU Athletics

MyWeberMedia.com | November 16, 2021 | 7

Rylin Adams, 1, Sam Schiess, 15, and Ashlyn Power, 19, were honored during the Wildcats’ match against SUU.

bawling before, but it feels good.”

Adams led the squad with 18 kills and two blocks, Nay collected 10 kills and two aces, Mangum also had ten kills and two blocks and Baylee Bodily had seven kills, two aces and two blocks.

Ashlyn Power led the way with 45 assists.

Adams, Schiess, Power and Emily Olson were the seniors honored in their match against SUU. In Adams’ time at WSU, she has been named to the All-Big Sky Academic Team in 2016, 2018 and 2019. Also in 2019, Adams was named to the All-Tournament team.

In their unprecedented spring 2021 sea-

son, Adams was named to the All Tournament Team, All-Conference First Team, Big Sky MVP and the AVCA Pacific North All-Region.

Schiess was named to the All-Big Sky Academic Team in 2018 and 2019, and was named to the Big Sky All-Conference First Team and Big Sky All-Conference First Team in their spring 2021 season.

Power was named to the Big Sky All-Academic Team in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

In 2019 and spring 2021, Power was also named to the Big Sky All-Tournament Team and All-Big Sky Conference First Team.

Olson is a redshirt sophomore in eligibil-

ity but will be graduating in the spring with a degree in nutrition.

The Big Sky Conference tournament will be held at Swenson Gym Nov. 18-20 and will be the first postseason tournament in program history to be hosted by Weber State.

The WIldcats hold the No.-1 seed, and Northern Colorado are close behind at No. 2.

“We’re super excited. it’s nice to get a win under your belt the weekend before a tournament,” Schiess said. “It’s nice, too, that we get to host, so we’re excited to go play some more volleyball.”

Weber State will kick off the tournament against The University of Montana, who seeded at No. 8 on Nov. 18 at 7 p.m.

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JENNIFER GREENLEE | The Signpost

8 | MyWeberMedia.com | November 16, 2021

University President Brad Mortensen updates students on university progress toward making WSU a better campus for all students, staff and faculty at the Nov. 12 meeting.

By JENNIFER GREENLEE Editor-in-Chief

A protest rattled the Weber State campus a little more than a week ago when students of color discovered they had not been informed of white supremacist propaganda that had been taped on campus days before. University President Brad Mortensen met with students on Nov. 4 during the protest and on Nov. 5 following the overnight protest. Mortensen held a second two-anda-half hour follow-up meeting on Nov. 12 to discuss the plans the university had in place to address concerns brought up by both protesters and an external equity review conducted over the summer.

Reggie Blaylock, a presidential associate at Cal Poly Pomona, was invited by Mortensen to review the campus’s culture and how it helped underserved students, specifically students of color. Blaylock visited the campus virtually and in person Aug. 25-27 and met with students, faculty and staff about the campus climate and gathered information about how students felt equity, diversity and inclusivity was or was

not incorporated into campus.

The release of Blaylock’s report was among the many concerns students, staff and faculty at the protest and conversations following it addressed. Prior to Nov. 12, the report had not been circulated outside of the administrators and certain faculty members. In the two previous meetings, Mortensen had pledged to send the report prior to the meeting on Nov. 12 after the university’s legal team finished looking through it. The report, without the appendices, was released after the meeting.

The report gave the administration seven specific recommendations. While this article summarizes those recommendations, the entire report is available on The Signpost’s website alongside the online article for anyone to review.

Blaylock recommended changes for the WSU Police Department, creating a Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council, changing how WSU gets and uses its data, planning and implementing university plans for strengthening equity, diversity and inclusion, addressing financial aid changes that may have disproportionately affected low-income and minority students, changes

in the Center for Multicultural Excellence and creating a Black Cultural Center.

As part of his report, Blaylock addressed the underfunding of all Access and Diversity programs and the deficit between the budget and the described plans of the university.

“It is painstakingly clear that these areas are underfunded given the size of the Institution, the scope of the work, and the charge at hand,” Blaylock’s report says.

Before addressing the Blaylock Report, Mortensen addressed the university’s new strategic plan, revised university mission statement and revised university value statements established in 2020.

The strategic plan establishes an “equity framework” that establishes equity-minded practices in and outside of the classroom and gaps in accessing resources that increase graduation rates in traditionally underserved student populations.

“Just saying them, I know that doesn’t make them that they are,” Mortensen said.

“By establishing this language in our foundational statements, it sets that direction.

This is what we expect everybody to do now within the strategic plan.”

As a subset to the strategic plan, several goals were created by the university, including their first goal of creating a university that had a strong sense of equity, diversity and inclusion, which Mortensen discussed at length during the meeting.

Several steps are outlined as part of the first goal, which addresses equity and inclusion: equity audits in every unit, department and college division by 2023; implementing equity-minded accountability and assessment practices in all academic and student support services by 2025; increasing faculty and staff from underrepresented populations from 11% to 20%; including and equity-minded practices on job qualification and performance review criteria; and assessing and maintaining a sense of belonging of 80% or greater among traditionally underserved students, faculty and staff.

“Is this going to change things tomorrow in your classes or something? Probably not,” Mortensen said. “We’re trying to do that at the macro level. Dr. Blaylock’s report will help us to look at more immediate things.”

Blaylock first recommended a University Police Advisory Board. The function of the board would be to act as a “conduit”

JENNIFER GREENLEE | The Signpost

MyWeberMedia.com | November 16, 2021 | 9

Chief Diversity Officer Adrienne Andrews speaks about university trainings on Nov. 12.

between the police department and the university community to obtain input on campus safety issues. The board would also provide updates to Mortensen and the President’s Council. A second part of the board’s responsibility would be conducting safety walks around campus with students to find areas of campus that make students, staff or faculty feel unsafe.

The second recommendation was creating a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council to advise Mortensen or the university on issues to create a more inclusive campus.

Mortensen outlined a plan that would include faculty, staff and student representation, including having a student chair or co-chair.

Some of the issues they would address under the recommendation would be establishing subcommittees with broader representation and developing methods for broader community input.

The third recommendation is to use data to help unite the campus instead of allowing areas of campus to remain separate because of how data is divided.

The fourth recommendation was to im-

plement the strategic plan across campus more effectively and ensure there is training to back up the philosophies the value statements and mission statement lay out. This would include adding equity and inclusion modules or sessions to new student and parent and family orientation. This would allow all those who attend new orientations to develop simultaneously. New employee training was also recommended to start including equity training for all faculty and staff, including requiring it for promotions and tenure where possible.

For faculty and staff already at the university, it was recommended that there is a program developed for current employees to ensure the training reaches them as well.

One of the biggest recommendations was Blaylock’s recommendation on Financial Aid. Based on research he had compiled, he stated that with economic and social success continually relying more and more on a four-year degree financial aid should support students from all income groups.

“Occasionally, we see the results of unintended consequences or corruption of policies seemingly intended to reduce eco-

nomic disparities,” the report reads. “While originally intended to help close income differential in college completion, unchecked policies could serve to exacerbate continuing disparities.”

Blaylock recommended creating a cross-divisional task force to examine the tuition cap placed on scholarships and tuition waivers that was implemented in 2018. This does not allow a student to receive more financial aid through the university than 25% of tuition and fees. Blaylock specifically mentioned in the report that this likely impacts middle and lower-class students, especially middle and lower-class students of color.

The sixth recommendation highlighted disfunction in the Center for Multicultural Excellence, including that the staff of the center were unaware of the 2018 CME Program Review recommendations, including that staff was not performing at the highest level possible for students.

Many of the Black students at the meeting recounted their own struggles with the CME and their inability to get access to resources at the center, despite being referred

and stationed their.

The last recommendation was to create a Black Culture Center, which would specifically address Black students gaining access to resources through an area dedicated to them.

Vice President of Student Affairs Brett Perozzi noted that they were already in the process of locating an interim space for a Black Culture Center while looking for a more permanent solution for the center.

Throughout Mortensen’s overview of the report, students, staff and faculty expressed their need for real change and not just more reviews, new value statements and goals.

Many expressed the sentiment that no change was truly coming despite the conversations held over the last week.

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The Signpost Archives

The Signpost Archives

MyWeberMedia.com | November 16, 2021 | 11

By LEXIE ANDREW Reporter

Native American Heritage Month brings with it a new focus to the Native American community, along with an acknowledgement of their resilience and continued involvement in the making of the history of the United States.

This month offers a wider recognition of Native American culture, voices and history that have been often overlooked. It also allows for those who aren’t Native American to gain a better understanding of different tribes’ cultures and to realize that they are still a part of the community.

Tashina Barber, the multicultural retention counselor and Native American Student Association advisor at Weber State University, explained that Native American Heritage month started in 1990 to better amplify Native American voices.

Barber said Native Americans are oftentimes in the background and not thought about, or only thought of in a historical context rather than as existing in present day.

“Even today, there are some individuals that don’t know Native Americans still exist. But we are still here,” Barber said.

The Native American community is represented at Weber State University through the Native American Student Association, NASA. Janette Jones, a member of NASA and of the Fort McDowell Yavapai and Oklahoma Kickapoo tribes, said there are at least five tribes represented at WSU and more are always welcome to join.

WSU held events to honor Native Heritage Month through the Native Symposium, including a keynote speech from Dr. Kim Tallbear and a screening of UEN film “Chasing Voices.”

While many Native Americans have been living on their lands for years, there are many others who have been forced off.

Many treaties have been created with the sole intent to protect Native American lands and respect their sovereignty over the area.

This month is a time for everyone to remember, honor and respect the Native American lands and treaties, as well as the trials they have been through.

“There are over 500 indigenous tribes, each with their own identity, culture and signed treaty to ensure tribal sovereignty.

Native American Heritage Month reminds people to respect and honor those treaties,” Jones said.

Native American statue pictured for Native American Heritage Month.

Charlyrae Lopez, a WSU student and member of NASA, said the month is very educational and an eye opener for many. It educates people about indigenous cultures and the things they have been doing for the community as a whole.

“Most people don’t go look into our culture and be a part of it because they don’t know that they can be,” Lopez said.

“We like to open it up to everyone. Not sacred traditions, but little things that we can share.”

Jones said that it’s a time for the communities to come together. They hold powwows to learn about their history; other times, there are moments of silence to give respect to those who have lost their lives to colonialism.

Those who aren’t Native American can learn about the tribes’ cultures, lives, histories and the things they have contributed to the community and the land.

Jones explained that Native Americans need this month to “reserve a space” for them to be heard and for others to learn about their history and their lives.

Because it’s a time of education, it’s a place where Native Americans use their voices even more. Issues that need acknowledging and resolving are brought

to attention, allowing conversation about those problems.

Barber explained that the month allows the problems to have a national platform and reach more people, providing a time to push information out about issues and their stories in the Native American communities. This brings more people into the conversation on a national level, rather than just a local or community level.

Lopez explained that during Native American Heritage Month they gain more traction for the movement for Missing Indigenous Women.

Jones said she wishes that there was a space in Ogden that Native American community members could meet and feel safe as well as have Ogden residents connect with tribal members to find better ways to celebrate Native American Heritage Month and make Ogden more inclusive.

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Performers of various ages talk and share videos during a dance performance from a previous year’s powwow.

By ADISON WEEKS Translator

Native American Heritage Month, que dura todo el mes de noviembre, trae un nuevo enfoque para la comunidad nativo americano, junto con un reconocimiento de su resiliencia e involucramiento continua en la creación de la historia de los Estados Unidos.

Este mes ofrece un reconocimiento más amplio de la cultura, las voces, y la historia de nativos americanos que suelen haber pasado por alto. También permite que los que no sean nativos americanos ganen una mejor comprensión de las diferentes culturas de las tribus y reconocer que aún son aparte de la comunidad.

Tashina Barber, la consejera de Multicultural Retention y consejera del Native American Student Association, explicó que el mes de Native American Heritage empezó en 1990 para amplificar las voces de nativos americanos.

Barber dijo que nativos americanos suelen ser al fondo y las personas no piensan de ellos, o solamente piensan en un contexto histórico en vez de lo presente.

“Aún hoy en día hay individuos que no saben qué nativos americanos existen to-

davía. Pero seguimos aquí,” dijo Barber.

La comunidad nativo americano se representa en Weber State University por el Native American Student Association, NASA. Janette Jones, un miembro de NASA y de las tribus Fort McDowell Yavapai y Oklahoma Kickapoo, dijo que hay al menos cinco tribus representadas en WSU y más podrán unirse si desean.

WSU tuvo eventos para honrar Native Heritage Month por el Native Symposium, incluyendo un orador principal Dr. Kim Tallbear y una proyección de una película de UEN, “Chasing Voices”.

Mientras muchos nativos americanos han vivido en su tierra por años, hay muchos otros que han sido botados de su tierra.

Muchos tratados han sido creados con el único propósito de proteger a las tierras nativas americanas y respetar la soberanía del área. Este mes es un tiempo para todos a recordar, honrar, y respetar las tierras nativas americanas y tratados, y también las pruebas que han experimentado.

“Hay más de 500 tribus indígenas, cada una con su propia identidad, cultura y tratado firmado para garantizar la soberanía tribal. Native American Heritage Month hace que las personas recuerden a respetar y honrar estos tratados,” dijo Jones.

Charlyrae Lopez, estudiante de WSU y miembro de NASA, dijo que el mes es muy educacional y abrirá los ojos de muchos. Educa a las personas sobre culturas indígenas y las cosas que han hecho para la comunidad.

“La mayoría de las personas no averiguan nuestra cultura ni se involucran porque no saben que pueden hacerlo,” Lopez dijo.

“Nos gusta tenerlo abierto para todos.

No las tradiciones sagradas, sino cosas pequeñas que sí podemos compartir.”

Jones dijo que es un tiempo que la comunidad pueda juntar. Organicen Powwows para educarse sobre su historia, otras veces hay momentos de silencio para respetar los que perdieron sus vidas por el colonialismo.

Los que no son nativos americanos pueden aprender de las culturas, vidas, e historias de las tribus y las contribuciones que hayan regalado a la comunidad y la tierra.

Jones explicó que los nativos americanos necesitan este mes para “reservar espacio” para que las personas los escuchen y para que otros aprendan de su historia y de sus vidas.

Por el hecho de ser un tiempo para la educación, es un lugar donde nativos ameri-

canos usan sus voces más. Cuestiones que necesitan reconocimiento y resoluciones lo reconozcan, permitiendo conversaciones sobre estos problemas.

Barber explicó que ese mes permite que los problemas tengan una plataforma nacional y que lleguen a más personas, proveyendo un tiempo para dar información sobre problemas e historias en las comunidades nativos americanos. Esto atrae más personas a la conversación a un nivel nacional en vez del nivel local o de la comunidad.

Lopez explicó que durante Native American Heritage Month ganan más tracción para el movimiento para Missing Indigenous Women.

Jones dijo que quisiera que construyen un espacio en Ogden que miembros de la comunidad nativo americano puedan juntar y sentirse seguros y también tener residentes de Ogden que podrían conectar con miembros de las tribus para encontrar mejores maneras para celebrar Native American Heritage Month y hacer que Ogden sea más inclusivo.

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12 | MyWeberMedia.com | November 16, 2021

Reporter

Jaden Hewes, who plays center for Weber State hockey, is making a name for himself with the Wildcats.

According to the American Collegiate Hockey Association website, Hewes scored 10 goals in his first 17 games this season.

But let’s go beyond the numbers and get a better idea of who Jaden Hewes is.

An Alaskan native, Hewes said he started playing hockey when he was two years old.

He said he got into hockey because his dad was a fan of the Philadelphia Flyers.

“It’s cold all the time,” Hewes said. “You got ice everywhere. So, it’s not too hard to get into it.”

Hewes described what it was like to play hockey in Alaska.

“Everybody you play with is usually in your neighborhood — goes to your school,” Hewes said. “So, every organization is like a tight community.”

Hewes said his favorite hockey memory was when he was 12 or 13 years old. He said when playing in Alaska, you don’t travel out of Alaska to play. You stay there.

His dad and other coaches got the best players from Alaska and created a team called Team AK. Team AK then went on to Michigan to play in a tournament where they won it all there. That led to the team being invited to the NHL Winter Classic, which was held at Comerica Park, home of the Detroit Tigers.

The team played a game on the ice before the Winter Classic game.

“That’s probably the most insane and grateful moment of hockey for sure,” Hewes

$400 a month.

“Playing juniors is just super-fast paced, just really competitive,” Hewes said. “Just everybody trying to get to the collegiate level. Everybody has the same goal, so they’re all fighting for it.”

He knew fellow Wildcat teammates Jacob Schneider and Carson Abercrombie from living in Arizona.

Hewes said during the summers he lived with Abercrombie he knew they played at Weber State, but he was not sure if playing juniors was something he wanted to continue doing, so they got in contact with Weber State’s coach.

Now, Hewes is a Weber State Wildcat.

“I’m just happy to be in one spot,” Hewes said. “I’ve been a suitcase all my life, moving around. So, it’s just nice to be in one spot.”

Hewes said he wants to be a firefighter.

One reason he gave was that he comes from a military family.

“Everybody. My grandmas, my grandpas, my dad,” Hewes said. “My dad was a big special force guy. I grew up around it. Been around it. And the military really isn’t my thing, but with firefighting, I’m giving back Jaden Hewes is originally from Alaska and started playing hockey at two to the country one way or another.” years old.

For now, it is not fighting fires, it’s skating said.

North America to play hockey and has on the ice. Hewes will continue to compete When Hewes was 14 years old, he moved played in the Tier One Elite Hockey League. for the Wildcats as they fight towards a nafrom the cold state of Alaska to the desert of When he was 14 years old, he played in tional championship.

Arizona.

Utah for the West Coast Renegades. Then, The Wildcats next play a four-game home Hewes said it took some time for him to when he was 15 years old, he went to Michi- stand from Nov. 18 to Nov. 21. These will be adjust to the weather there but didn’t think gan. The following year, he was in Nashville. the Wildcats’ last games of 2021 until they it was too bad because it was a dry heat.

Then, Hewes was in Dallas when he was 17 resume their season in January.

“I call Arizona home now,” Hewes said. years old. He then went to different places “That’s where all my close friends are. I went around Canada while he was 18 years old. to high school there, but I love it. I love Ar- Last year, Hewes was in Philadelphia. izona.”

While doing that, he would stay with Comment on this story at Hewes said he has been traveling around host families. He said that would cost about WSU Hockey

By JACE COOK

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MyWeberMedia.com | November 15, 2021 | 15

Career Champions This is a great opportunity to recognize a faculty or staff member who has helped you to reach your career dreams and goals.

Scan the QR Code to fill out your Career Champion nomination Form.

weber.edu/careerservices

Nominations are open now until Saturday November 20th, 2021 at 11:59 pm.

First generation students account for about 39.1% of the student population at Weber State, according to WSU’s website.

By LUCAS MOORE Reporter

Being a first-generation college student comes with its own unique challenges. According to Weber State University’s website, 39.1% of students identify as first-generation. There are specific resources that exist to accommodate the experiences of these students.

There are two departments at WSU that offer specific help to first-gen students: the Center for Multicultural Excellence and the First Generation Student Club. The Money Management Center, which helps any student through the FAFSA process, applying for any grants or loans and financial coaching, may be especially helpful to students whose parents are unfamiliar with the process of paying for college or are unable to help financially.

There is a first-generation student club that also emphasizes the support of these individuals. The club conducts activities that are service-based and is located in the Student Support Services Center.

Evangelina Marquez, outgoing president of the club and a WSU senior, will be graduating this upcoming spring. She says the goal of the club is to make first-generation students be seen and feel supported.

“We just want to let them know that we see them, even if they are just reaching the goal of making it to class,” Marquez said.

Amanda Nielsen, recruitment and retention coordinator of the SSS, advisor of the new Tri-Alpha Honors Society and advisor of the club, is engaging with the students and creating activities for the club based on the current needs of members.

“A sense of belonging is what keeps students retained in school, especially first-gen

Alex Guzman | The Signpost

Alex Guzman | The Signpost

14 | MyWeberMedia.com | November 16, 2021

Colleges across the country celebrated the progress of first-generation students on Nov. 8, which is the national first-generation college celebration day.

students who have unique experiences that shape them and their family’s future,” Nielsen said. “The club’s motive is to help keep them motivated in the academic environment.”

Nov. 8 was the national first-generation college celebration day, in which colleges across the country celebrate the progress of first-generation students.

“During this day, I took time to reflect and admire the other officers in the club and how far we have come in bringing an understanding platform to these students,” Marquez said.

On Nov. 20, the club will be holding a four-hour-long volunteering event at an Ogden shelter for youth experiencing homelessness. First-gen and low-income students in the club receiving a Pell Grant will also be able to go on a trip to Texas, which is funded by grants and private donations.

The club meets monthly and is also accessible to students remotely.

Another resource for first-gen students is the Center for Multicultural Excellence.

The center has programs throughout K-12 schools to educate students on the college environment, mainly with students who are first-gen, ethnically diverse or low income.

Undocumented students are also a priority of the CME, helping them apply for private scholarships, dismantling the process of registering and receiving in-state tuition if they graduate from a Utah high school.

A bridge program exists in the center during the summer, where students are able to connect with different people and faculty on campus. They get a tour of the school and are informed about first-day integration into WSU.

MyWeberMedia.com | November 16, 2021 | 15

George Valdez, clinician and caseworker in the counseling center, is working on a strategy to create a support group with a focus on first-gen students.

“I want to provide support for these firstgen kids who have a lot of uncertainty and are without people to turn to,” Valdez said.

Valdez was a first-gen student himself, graduating from WSU in 2018 after studying psychology and neuroscience. Valdez later went to the University of Utah and graduated in May with his master’s degree in social work.

“I even doubted myself throughout my schooling to become a clinician because of all the insecurities and no one with prior

experience who I could receive assistance from,” Valdez said.

He then came back to WSU and began working as a clinician in the counseling center with the idea of putting together this support group.

“We would discuss topics such as feeling like you aren’t good enough, providing support through highlighting strengths and how to stay on top of their education,” Valdez said.

Valdez plans to have the meetings in person, but wants the group to be accessible for those with concerns about COVID-19. He said the counseling center would function as a meeting place until a designated room

becomes available.

The support group is still in a planning phase, and interested students can contact georgevaldez@weber.edu. For more information regarding first-gen student affairs, students can visit the first generation page of the WSU website.

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Alex Guzman | The Signpost

Enrique Romo, assistant vice president of student affairs, has been at WSU for six years.

“We make sure every student, regardless of their background, has the whole spectrum of services available for them,” Romo said.

He listed other services they offer at the center, such as a retention program to help students stay determined to finish school, peer mentoring programs and LGBTQ resources.

“These services present opportunities to develop leadership skills in an informative environment, surrounded by students and faculty who can relate,” Romo said.

A support group for first generation students is still in the planning phase.

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A support group for first generation students is still in the planning phase.

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By MARIANNA LUCIA LOPEZ LURITTA Translator

Ser un estudiante universitario de primera generación conlleva sus propios retos.

Según el sitio web de Weber State University, el 39,1% de los estudiantes se identifican como de primera generación. Existen recursos específicos para adaptarse a las experiencias de estos estudiantes.

Hay dos departamentos en WSU que ofrecen ayuda específica a los estudiantes de primera generación: el Center for Multicultural Excellence y el First Generation Student Club. El Money Management Center, que ayuda a cualquier estudiante a través del proceso de la FAFSA, la solicitud de cualquier beca o préstamo y el asesoramiento financiero puede ser especialmente útil

para los estudiantes cuyos padres no están familiarizados con el proceso de pago de la universidad o no pueden ayudar financieramente.

Existe un club de estudiantes de primera generación que también hace hincapié en el apoyo a estas personas. El club realiza actividades basadas en el servicio y está ubicado en el Student Support Services Center.

Evangelina Márquez, presidenta saliente del club y estudiante de último año de WSU, se graduará en la próxima primavera de 2022. Ella dice que el objetivo del club es hacer que los estudiantes de primera generación sean vistos y se sientan apoyados.

“Sólo queremos hacerles saber que los vemos, incluso si sólo están alcanzando la meta de llegar a clase”, Márquez dijo.

Amanda Nielsen, coordinadora de reclutamiento y retención del SSS, consejera de la nueva Tri-alfa Honors Society y consejera del club, se está comprometiendo con los estudiantes y creando actividades para el club basadas en las necesidades actuales de

a t p

c a i t

p e

Being a first-generation college student comes with its own unique challenges.

los miembros.

“El sentido de pertenencia es lo que mantiene a los estudiantes retenidos en la escuela, especialmente a los estudiantes de primera generación que tienen experiencias únicas que dan forma a su futuro y al de su familia”, dijo Nielsen. “El motivo del club es ayudar a mantenerlos motivados en el ámbito académico”.

El 8 de noviembre fue el día nacional de celebración de la primera generación universitaria, en el que las universidades de todo el país celebran el progreso de los estudiantes de primera generación.

“Durante este día, me tomé el tiempo para reflexionar y admirar a los otros oficiales del club y lo lejos que hemos llegado en traer una plataforma de comprensión a estos estudiantes”, Márquez dijo.

El 20 de noviembre, el club organizará un evento de voluntariado de cuatro horas de duración en un refugio de Ogden para jóvenes sin hogar. Los estudiantes de primera generación y de bajos ingresos del club

que reciban una beca Pell también podrán ir a un viaje a Texas, que se financia con subvenciones y donaciones privadas.

El club se reúne mensualmente y también es accesible para los estudiantes a distancia.

Otro recurso para los estudiantes de primera generación es el Center for Multicultural Excellence. El centro tiene programas que se extienden a través de las escuelas K-12 para educar a los estudiantes en el entorno universitario, principalmente con los estudiantes de primera generación, de diversidad étnica o de bajos ingresos.

Los estudiantes indocumentados también son una prioridad del CME, ayudándoles a solicitar becas privadas, desmantelando el proceso de inscripción y recibiendo la matrícula estatal si se gradúan de una escuela secundaria de Utah.

En el centro existe un programa puente durante el verano, en el que los estudiantes pueden conectar con diferentes personas y profesores del campus. Reciben una visita a la escuela y se les informa sobre la inte-

MyWeberMedia.com | November 16, 2021 | 17

tudiantes y profesores que pueden relacionarse”, dijo Romo.

George Valdez, clínico y asistente social del centro de terapia, está trabajando en una estrategia para crear un grupo de apoyo centrado en los estudiantes de primera generación.

“Quiero proporcionar apoyo a estos chicos de primera generación que tienen mucha incertidumbre y no tienen personas a las que recurrir”, dijo Valdez. Él mismo fue un estudiante de primera generación, que se graduó de WSU en 2018 tras estudiar psicología y neurociencia.

Valdez luego fue a University of Utah y se graduó en mayo con su maestría en trabajo

social.

“Llegué a dudar de mí mismo a lo largo de mis estudios para convertirme en un clínico debido a todas las inseguridades y a que no había nadie con experiencia previa de quien pudiera recibir ayuda”, dijo Valdez.

Entonces regresó a WSU y comenzó a trabajar como clínico en el centro de terapia, con la idea de armar este grupo de apoyo.

“Discutiríamos temas como la sensación de que no eres lo suficientemente bueno, proporcionando apoyo a través de resaltar las fortalezas y cómo mantenerse en la cima de su educación”, dijo Valdez.

Valdez planea tener las reuniones en persona, pero quiere que el grupo sea accesible

para aquellos con preocupaciones sobre COVID-19. Dijo que el centro de terapia funcionaría como un lugar de reunión hasta que una sala designada esté disponible.

El grupo de apoyo está todavía en una fase de planificación, y los estudiantes interesados pueden ponerse en contacto con georgevaldez@weber.edu. Para obtener más información sobre los asuntos de los estudiantes de primera generación, los estudiantes pueden visitar la página de la primera generación del sitio web de WSU. Comment on this story at signpost.mywebermedia.com

ALEX GUZMAN | The Signpost

gración del primer día en WSU. Enrique Romo, vicepresidente adjunto de asuntos estudiantiles, lleva seis años en WSU. “Nos aseguramos de que todos los estudiantes, independientemente de su origen, tengan todo el espectro de servicios disponibles para ellos”, dijo Romo.

Enumeró otros servicios que ofrecen en el centro, como un programa de retención para ayudar a los estudiantes a mantenerse decididos a terminar la escuela, programas de tutoría entre pares y recursos LGBTQ. “Estos servicios presentan oportunidades para desarrollar habilidades de liderazgo en un ambiente informativo, rodeado de es-

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First generation students account for about 39.1% of the student population at Weber State, according to WSU’s website.

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DO YOU KNOW YOUR NEWS? QUIZ ANSWERS FROM PAGE 2

their hiding places and into houses across the Egyptian province of Aswan. Three died from scorpion stings, while 503 were hospitalized and discharged after antivenom treatment.

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2. The correct answer is C, Scorpions. According to The Associated Press, the storms forced countless scorpions from

Heavy rain and flooding in Egypt caused scorpions to flee into residents homes and killed three people.

4. The correct answer is D, Florida.

According to The Guardian, Republican governor Ron DeSantis, who is staunchly opposed to mask mandates and vaccine mandates, called the special session to begin on Nov. 15. His goal is to prevent business or government agencies to require vaccination of employees in the state.

5. The correct answer is D, “The Big Lebowski.” According to the Standard-Examiner, the festival included a showing of the film with white Russians and other Lebowski-themed cocktails, a pre-screening lobby party with trivia, a costume contest and a rug to really tie the room together.

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3. The correct answer is C, Severe air pollution in the city. According to CNN, the chief minister of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal, announced the physical closing of all schools and move to virtual classes. The thick smog blanketing the city has been made worse by

weather conditions that have restricted the dispersion of pollution caused by stubble burning by farmers.

Peery’s Egyptian Theater hosted its seventh annual festival dedicated to “The Big Lebowski” this past weekend.

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1. The correct answer is A, U.K. According to the Washington Post, the Liverpool taxi passenger, who brought a homemade explosive device into the taxi, was declared dead at the scene. The driver was able to escape after locking the passenger inside the car and has been released after a brief hospitalization. The motivation of the bombing is still unclear.

A Liverpool taxi passenger detonated a homemade explosive device that killed him instantly while the taxi driver was able to escape with no injuries.

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