International Travel: The Signpost 3/28/24

DO YOU KNOW YOUR NEWS?

By BRISA ODENTHAL Section Editor

Utah is implementing new restrictions after an outbreak of the avian flu in which farm animal?

A. Chickens

B. Turkeys

C. Pigs

D. Cows

In which major U.S. city was the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse located?

A. Phoenix

B. Baltimore

C. Boston

D. Seattle

How much will New York City be charging motorists for the toll to enter part of Manhattan?

A. $50

B. $25

C. $15

D. $100

Two local newspapers in which state were recently turned into student-run newspapers?

A. Iowa

B. Utah

C. Kansas

D. Nevada

ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS ON PAGE 15

By GRETEL MONJAR Columnist

“Your chauffeur has arrived,” my driver said as I stepped in.

I sat down and stared out into the black morning. I buzzed with excitement. This day had been coming for 10 months.

My chauffeur was actually just an OGX bus driver, but he greeted me so kindly as I stepped into the empty electric bus — a giant UTA pumpkin that would be my carriage for a

March 21 was the first day of the Intermountain Sustainability Summit. Every year Weber State University’s Sustainability Practices and Research Center hosts the big event. This year over 400 individuals participated.

I have been working with SPARC since May. Being a part of such an impactful event felt a

I got off the bus in front of the Shepherd Union and hurried up the stairs to meet my team. Although the campus had been silent and unusually warm at 6:30 a.m., the third floor of the building was humming with

Outside the ballrooms, the registration tables were being set up. The night before I had helped stuff the name tags attendees would wear on lanyards that were now being neatly

I had to hurry to my cubical in the library for a last-minute print job. As my computer turned on, obviously more tired than me, I

thought, “This matters.”

The ISS matters. This event isn’t just for kicks and giggles, no offense to kicks or giggles. This is an opportunity for sustainability education. New, live, real and implemental discussions on sustainability topics that will change lives.

I sat behind a tablecloth-ed table as rows of attendees lined up to check in. There were hiccups — a few names were missing from registration lists. I was taken back to my days as a fast food cashier on a lake. I expected participants to act like hot and hungry vacation go-ers — rude and impatient — but they weren’t. They were kind and would smile patiently as we got them a new name tag.

Attendees filled round tables that filled the ballroom. A continental breakfast with vegan and gluten-free options was available.

Working up to the event I would overhear between my supervisor and sustainability manager, Bonnie Christiansen, and the sustainability coordinator, Lena Morgan, talk about the food options. They took so much care making sure inclusive options were served.

In fact, the whole thing was done with concern and care. Every step was weighed. Every decision was partnered with the sincere question: Is this best? Not an easy question.

Sustainability at Weber State is genuine. It’s shockingly genuine.

After Jeff Speck, author of “Walkable City” and previous TED talk-er, delivered the keynote speech participants broke off into differ-

ent speaker sessions.

Justin Owen, interim director of plant operations at WSU, spoke about how the university has updated the chilled water loop into a ground source condenser. An eco-friendly and long-term pocket-friendly switch.

There were other sessions on zero-emissions housing in Utah, sustainable transportation, turning garbage into soil and others.

University students, not just from WSU, were able to display posters that demonstrated research projects focused on sustainability. The future of sustainability is in bright hands.

The day was filled with knowledge. The walls could have collapsed from it. At times it was overwhelming, but never heavy.

Sustainability education has a tendency to get dark fast. The real threats of climate change and social injustices can lead conversations to “world is burning!” conversations. While these elements hold some truth, I leave feeling hopeless and useless — there is nothing I can do to make a change or impact.

It wasn’t this way at the ISS. The conversations were realistic, and they weren’t sugar-coated. There was an enabling focus. There is so much happening to make a change. Developments and connections that will build back the world.

Like a holiday, the anticipation lasted longer than the event. But the impact, the education, will last a lot longer, and no one knows what it will lead to.

People in attendance listening to the 2023 Intermountain Sustainability Summit lecture, Energy Financing: How to Make Your Energy Program a Cash Cow.

ANNA KUGLAR

| The Signpost

POR CHRISTIE GUTIERREZ

POR GRETEL MONJAR

Traductor entos veraneantes, groseros e impacientes, pero no fue así. Eran amables y sonreían pacientemente mientras les dábamos una nueva etiqueta con su nombre.

able City” y conferencista de TED, pronunciara el discurso de apertura, los participantes se decidieron en diferentes sesiones de ponentes.

Columnista

“Su chofer ha llegado”, me dijo el conductor al entrar.

Me senté y me quedé mirándola negra mañana. Estaba emocionada. Hacía diez meses que se acercaba este día.

Mi chofer era en realidad un conductor de autobús de OGX, pero me saludó muy amablemente cuando entré en el autobús eléctrico vacío, una calabaza gigante de la UTA que sería mi carruaje durante unos minutos.

El 21 de marzo fue el primer día de la Cumbre de Sostenibilidad Intermountain. Todos los años, el Centro de Prácticas e Investigación sobre Sostenibilidad de la Universidad Estatal. Weber acoge este gran acontecimiento. Este año participaron más de 400 personas.

Llevo trabajando con SPARC desde mayo. Participar en un acontecimiento de tal repercusión fue como llevar zapatillas de cristal.

Baje del autobús frente a Shepherd Unión y subí rápidamente las escalera para reunirme con mi equipo. Aunque el campus estaba en silencio y hacía un calor inusual a las 6:30 de la mañana, la tercera planta del edificio bullía de preparativos.

Fuera de las salas de baile, se estaban colocando las mesas de inscripción. La noche anterior había ayudado a colocar las etiquetas con los nombres de los asistentes en los cordones, que ahora se colocan ordenadamente por orden alfabético.

Tuve que darme prisa para ir a mi cubículo de la biblioteca para imprimir un trabajo de última hora. Mientras mi ordenador se encendía, obviamente más cansado que yo,pensé: “Esto importa”.

La ISS importa. Este acto no es solo para divertirse, sin ánimo de ofender a nadie. Es una oportunidad para educar en sostenibilidad. Debates nuevos, vivos, reales y prácticos sobre temas de sostenibilidad que cambian vidas.

Me senté detrás de una mesa con mantel mientras los asistentes hacían cola para registrarse. Hubo contratiempo: faltaban algunos nombres en las listas de inscripción. Me retrotraje a mis días de cajera de comida rápida en un lago. Esperaba que los participantes se comportaran como los acalorados y hambri-

Los asistentes ocuparon las mesas redondas que llenaban el salón de baile. Había un desayuno continental con opciones veganas y sin gluten.

Durante los preparativos del acto, escuche a mis supervisoras y responsable de sostenibilidad. Bonne Christiansen y la coordinadora de sostenibilidad, Lena Morgan, hablaron de las opciones de comida. Pusieron mucho cuidado en asegurarse de que se sirvieran opciones inclusivas.

De hecho, todo se hizo con preocupación y cuidado. Se sopesó cada paso. Cada decisión iba acompañada de una pregunta sincera: ¿Es esto lo mejor? No es una pregunta fácil.

La sostenibilidad en Weber State es auténtica. Es sorprendente y genuina.

Después de que Jeff Speck, autor de “Walk-

Justin Owen, director interno de operaciones de planta de la WSU, habló de cómo la universidad ha actualizado el bucle de agua fría convirtiéndolo en su condensador de fuente terrestre. Un cambio respetuoso con el medio ambiente y el bolsillo a largo plazo.

Hubo otras sesiones sobre vivienda de emisiones cero en Utah. Transporte sostenible, transformación de la basura en tierra y otros temas.

Estudiantes Universitarios, no solo de WSU, pudieron exponer carteles que mostraban proyectos de investigación centrados en la sostenibilidad. El futuro de la sostenibilidad está en buenas manos.

La jornada estuvo repleta de conocimiento. Las paredes podrían haberse derrumbado. A veces era abrumador, pero nunca pesado.

Una educación de sostenibilidad tiende a oscurecerse rápidamente. Las amenazas reales del cambio climático y las injusticias sociales pueden llevar a conversaciones del tipo “el mundo se quema! Aunque estos elementos tienen algo de verdad, salgo sintiéndome desesperanzado e inutil: no hay nada que pueda hacer para cambiar las cosas o influir en ellas.

No fue hacia la ISS. Las conversaciones eran realistas y no estaban edulcoradas. Había un enfoque habilitador. Están ocurriendo muchas cosas que pueden cambiar las cosas. Avances y conexiones que volverán a construir el mundo.

Como las vacaciones, la expectación duró más que el acontecimiento. Pero el impacto, la educación, durará mucho más, y nadie sabe a qué conducirá.

Folletos que contienen más información sobre la Cumbre de Sostenibilidad Intermountain para los asistientes.

ANNA KUGLAR

By JACOBA JONES Asst. Section Editor

Weber State University’s men’s and women’s track and field recently reached the end of their indoor season. To begin their outdoor season, WSU headed to Southern Utah for the Utah Tech Invitational on March 22 and 23. The other schools who competed in the meet were Southern Utah University, Idaho State University, Utah State University, Westminster College and Utah Valley University.

“The transition is an interesting one to say the least,” Angelyca Chapman, a sprinter for the Wildcats, said. “Towards the end of indoor you can tell we are ready to go outdoors. There is a shift in our overall mood. We are all happier and bright-eyed again. I am feeling good about the team this year. We have a new coach, and I feel like this season will surprise us.”

Track and field events began on March 22. The track events were men’s and women’s steeplechase, 200 meter, 400 meter hurdles and 5,000 meter. For the field events, men’s and women’s discus throw, shot put, long jump and high jump took place.

On the women’s side, Hannah Bailey finished fourth in the steeplechase at a time of 11:12.43, and Kami Withers finished fifth at a time of 11:14.5.

Payge Walz placed second in the 200 meter race with a time of 24.42 seconds. Chapman was just moments after, finishing fourth at 24.95 seconds, and Jasmine Devers finished

fifth with a time of 25.00 seconds.

In the 5,000 meter race Trisha Thompson Davis finished third with a time of 17:59.80.

In field events, Dawson Rothenbuhler placed third in shot put with a mark of 45’ 7 3⁄4”, and Shannan Fonua placed fifth with a mark of 41’ 7 3⁄4”.

For the long jump, Walz finished third with a mark of 17 ’9 3/4” and Shelby Johnson finished fifth with a mark of 16’ 5”.

Closing off with the high jump, both Abby Triplett and Aimee Chambers placed third at a mark of 5’ 1 1⁄4”.

In the men’s 200 meter dash Rodee Brow had a time of 21.62 seconds and finished in second. Cody Gehrett finished third in 22.04 seconds, and Tristan Spalding placed fifth at 22.07 seconds.

For the 400 meter hurdles Ben Johansen placed third at a time of 56.61 seconds.

In the 5,000 meter Taylor Knight placed first at a time of 14:31.70, Tanner Rogers placed third at 14:44.20 and Carson Horspool placed fifth at 14:48.55.

The men’s high jump finished the field events for the night, and Kale Thomas took first with a mark of 6’ 4 3/4”.

“Competing at the University level is definitely different,” Chapman said. “It is giving me a chance to challenge myself and grow — not just in my sport but as a person. I have learned a lot of things about myself as I compete in college track and I know that I will keep growing into my full potential.”

On March 23 the events began at 10 a.m.

and continued until around 2:20 p.m. The track events were men’s and women’s 4x100 relay, 1,500 meter, 110 meter hurdles, 100 meter hurdles, 800 meter, 100 meter, 400 meter, 3,000 meter and 4x400 relay. The field events were men’s and women’s javelin throw and triple jump.

For the women, Saga Hagelin placed second in the 1,500 meter run with a time of 4:30.78.

Walz finished fourth in the 100 meter hurdles with a time of 13.96 seconds. Walz also placed second in the 100 meter dash with a time of 12.00 seconds and Abby Hancock finished just behind in third with a time of 12.04 seconds.

For the 800 meter, Sandra Aberg placed second with a time of 2:15.47.

Chapman finished in second place in the 400 meter with a time of 55.90 seconds.

In the 3,000 meter, Laurie Murphy finished first with a time of 9:56.10 and France Hudson placed fifth with a time of 10:28.53.

The women’s 4x400 relay consisted of Chapman, Walz, Devers and Eliza Smith. They finished in first at a time of 4:00.85.

In the field events, Alyssa Hansen placed second in the javelin with a mark of 150’10”.

For the men, Gehrett placed second in the 110 meter hurdles with a time of 15.16 seconds and Johansen placed fourth at 15.69 seconds.

In the 100 meter dash Amari Adams finished in second at a time of 10.88 seconds.

For the 400 meter, Orion Barger finished

first at a time of 47.04 seconds. Brow finished second at 48.01, Colby Anderson placed fifth with a time of 49.25 seconds.

Weber’s 4x400 relay consisting of Barger, Brow, Anderson and Spalding placed first with a time of 3:17.74.

Records were made at the Utah Tech Invite as well. Cody Canard, a javelin thrower, broke the school record on his third throw, throwing the javelin 232’ 00”. Right after Canard broke the record, Josh Trafny broke it again on his third throw. He threw the javelin 232’ 11”. For Canard’s fourth throw he threw the javelin even further at 256’ 1”, setting the school record once more, a meet record, and the Big Sky All-time record. It was the No. 2 mark in the NCAA this year and qualified Canard for the U.S. Olympic Trials. Canard was named Big Sky’s men’s field athlete of the week. Canard and Trafny sit at No. 1 and 2, respectively, in school history.

“Both have worked so hard for so many years and today was a tremendous payoff,” head coach Corbin Talley said to Weber State Athletics. “Cody and Josh put on a show, and it was something special.”

This week Wildcat athletes will split up and travel to both Orem for the Utah Valley Collegiate Invitational and to Stanford, California, for the Stanford Invitational. The UVU Invitational will take place on March 28 and 29, and the Stanford Invitational on March 29 and 30.

TOP LEFT: Weber State University distance runner Maggie Featherstone running ahead of Utah Tech and Utah State runners. TOP RIGHT: Weber State University women’s track and field runners competing against other runners. BOTTOM LEFT: Weber State University distance runner TJ Warnick at the UTech Track and field Invitational Day 1. BOTTOM RIGHT: Weber State University mid distance runner Bryce Anderson at the UTech Track and Field Invitational Day 1.

STAN PLEWE | Utah Tech Athletics

STAN PLEWE Utah Tech Athletics

STAN PLEWE Utah Tech Athletics

STAN PLEWE | Utah Tech Athletics

NEW TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS TO EUROPE

By LEXIE ANDREW Section Editor

Two big changes are coming to international travel, with both the introduction of the European Travel Information and Authorization System and the potential for a new passport agency in Utah.

Utah has become an international travel hub in recent years. In a January 2024 press release, the Salt Lake International Airport said that passengers coming through SLC have increased and hit a new record high.

“The growth can be attributed primarily to an increase in the number of international passengers ...The number of international passengers reached a new record of 1,323,294 in 2023, compared to 1,115,861 in 2019,” the Salt Lake International Airport press release stated.

Many airlines have direct flights to European and Mexican destinations.

In October 2023 the European Union created a new action plan called the European Travel Information and Authorization System for travelers coming to Europe. It was originally set to roll out the beginning of 2024, but it has been pushed back to mid-2025.

According to the European Union’s website, ETIAS is a visa requirement for travelers who are not citizens of the 30 European countries in the Schengen region.

The Schengen region refers to the countries that many people think of when they think about Europe. It includes: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

“With a valid ETIAS travel authorisation, you can enter the territory of these European countries as often as you want for short-term stays–normally for up to 90 days in any 180-

day period,” the European Union website said. Travelers can still travel freely between the countries, but there will be border checks to see travelers’ passports and required documents.

The U.S. Department of State-Bureau of Consular Affairs advises U.S. travelers going to Europe to now have their passports on them at all times.

When the process roles out, travelers will apply on the ETIAS website. The application fee is 7 euros and processes within minutes. The European Union website said in some cases it may take up to 14 days if more documents are required, but generally it will be processed within minutes.

More information about the ETIAS and requirements can be found on the European Union’s website.

The visa is connected to your passport and is valid for up to three years or when your passport expires, whichever is first.

Getting that passport can be another issue.

Despite the growth for international travel,

Utah does not have a passport agency. The closest passport agency is in Denver, Colorado. Now there is a push for Utah to get its own passport agency.

Sen. Mitt Romney is one who is pushing for this to happen.

“Utah is quickly becoming a center for global commerce and tourism,” Sen. Romney said. “In addition to serving as a home to thousands of Latter-day Saints who annually embark on worldwide religious missions, our state is also experiencing a rapid population. Utahns are frustrated with their lack of access to passport services–required to travel long distances out of state to obtain urgent, in-person consular services at a passport agency.”

With the new ETIAS requirements to Europe and Utah’s international travel increasing, the passport agency will help solve many hiccups that may arise.

STORY

People shopping for the holidays in Nuremberg, Germany. Photo taken November 2023.

Main clock tower in Urbino, Italy. Photo taken in June 2023.

A graduation celebration in Urbino, Italy. Photo taken June 2023.

DO YOU KNOW YOUR NEWS? QUIZ ANSWERS FROM PAGE 2

The answer is D, Cows. According to KSL, a breakout of avian flu within cattle on Utah farms is leading to restrictions, including regular veterinarian checkups. Though experts say there is no risk of illness in commercial milk production because of the pasteurization process, milk production in these cows is lower than usual.

The answer is B, Baltimore. According to NPR, The Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore faced a devastating collapse after a cargo ship lost control and crashed into a support beam in the early morning hours of March 26. As of right now, there are six presumed dead in the collapse.

The answer is C, $15.

According to AP News, New York City transit officials approved a $15 toll to deter motorists from driving into part of Manhattan to lower traffic congestion. If this toll goes into effect, New York City will be the first in that nation with a congestion toll.

The answer is A, Iowa.

According to CNN, two Iowan local newspapers, Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun and the Solon Economist, began talking to the University of Iowa’s student-run newspaper, The Daily Iowan, about a possible takeover this past fall. The University of Iowa’s students began the official takeover and printing process in February.

THE SIGNPOST TEAM

Editor-in-Chief Kennedy Camarena kennedycamarena@mail.weber.edu

Managing Editor

Marianna Lopez-Luritta mlopezluritta@mail.weber.edu

Design & Graphics Editor Star Neil starneil@mail.weber.edu

Design & Graphics Editor Emilie Hart emiliehart@mail.weber.edu

Photo Editor Anna Kuglar briannakuglar@mail.weber.edu

Asst. Photo Editor Norlito Ranchez norlitoranchezjr@mail.weber.edu

Chief Copy Editor Justin Steed justinsteed@mail.weber.edu

News Editor Brisa Odenthal brisaodenthal@mail.weber.edu

Asst. News Editor Gretel Monjar gretelmonjar@mail.weber.edu

Sports Editor Collyn Cowles collyncowles@mail.weber.edu

Asst. Sports Editor Jacoba Jones jacobajones@mail.weber.edu

Editor at Large Adam Montgomery adammontgomery1@mail.weber.edu

Culture Editor Lexie Andrew lexieandrew@mail.weber.edu

Culture Editor Megan Swann meganswann@mail.weber.edu

Translation Editor Nathanael Stout nathanaelstout@mail.weber.edu Adviser Jean Norman jeannorman@weber.edu

Business Manager Rob Steedley robertsteedley@weber.edu