Tuesday | March 29, 2022 | Volume 95 | Issue 17
MAKAYLA MARTINEZ | The Signpost
2 | MyWeberMedia.com | March 29, 2022
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DO YOU KNOW YOUR NEWS? 1. The Utah Legislature’s House Bill 11 has been hotly debated over the last several weeks, and Gov. Spencer Cox vetoed the bill before his veto was overridden by two-thirds of the legislature, voting to instate the bill anyway. What law does HB11 put into place? A. It bans nonbinary-identifying students from participating in school sports B. It allows schools to decide on their own if transgender students should be allowed to play on sport teams C. It bans transgender girls from playing in girls’ high school sports D. It bans transgender boys from playing in boys’ high school sports 2. A California man was recently charged with one count of conspiracy, nine counts of smuggling goods into the United States and two counts of trafficking. What was the man smuggling? A. Drugs B. Liquor C. Dogs D. Reptiles
A. He created the GIF B. He invented LTE C. He invented emojis for iPhone D. He created YouTube 4. Which Utah Jazz player had foot and ankle surgery, which will bench him for the remainder of the season? A. Rudy Gobert B. Bojan Bogdanovic C. Rudy Gay
Vivint Arena is the home of the Utah Jazz.
D. Udoka Azubuike 5. China Eastern 737-800 crashed into a mountainous and wooded area near the Southeastern coast on March 21, and no crew or passengers survived. How many total passengers were on the flight? A. 121 B. 306 C. 254 D. 132
REBECCA GONZALES | The Signpost
Asst. Section Editor
3. Stephen Wilhite, a true innovator of the internet, passed away recently at the age of 74. What did Wilhite create for today’s internet users?
Multimedia Graphics Network
By ALEXANDREA BONILLA
KENNEDY ROBINS | The Signpost
KENNEDY ROBINS | The Signpost
4 | MyWeberMedia.com | March 29, 2022
The entrance to the International Student and Scholar Center.
The International Student and Scholar Center is located in the Student Services Center in room 143.
MyWeberMedia.com | March 29, 2022 | 5
KENNEDY ROBINS | The Signpost
GETTING A-BROAD PERSPECTIVE
The staff at the International Student and Scholar Center works with the students at WSU, their information on a white board stating they work both remotely and in-person. By CONNOR HOPSON Reporter
Many think that studying abroad is out of their pocketbook, but at Weber State University, travel expenses for short term programs are factored into the price of tuition, often including overseas expenditures — like lodging, transportation and faculty compensation — and will cover up to six credit hours in tuition costs. The WSU foreign exchange program currently offers enrollment to 42 universities in 18 different countries, including Germany, Japan and Costa Rica, to those who have completed at least one semester of college. On the other hand, anyone from “brand-spanking new freshman up to our oldest participant in their 80s, can do short-
term study abroad in the summer,” Myranda Hackley, global exchange coordinator, national student exchange coordinator and administrative specialist, said. Short-term study abroad for summer 2022 is filling up, but there are still openings to study criminal justice in South Korea, airfare included, or French cuisine in France, airfare not included. It’s important for students to remain open in the foreign exchange selection process, Hackley cautions, because earning credit toward your degree may not be a possibility at one’s desired institution. Foreign exchange credit is offered through every college, except the health program, and students can apply for the spring 2023 semester until Oct. 15. For long-term foreign exchange, students
will continue to pay their current rate of tuition, and most financial aid including academic scholarships, Pell Grants and parent tuition waivers apply. There are also several ways to earn scholarships through the study abroad department, like the Opportunity Award or the Exchange Scholarship and more offered through specific departments. Hackley also encourages students to request funds from their department chair. “For some programs, we are proud to say that students can study abroad for less cost than studying on campus while earning the same number of credits,” Yimin Wang, dean and senior international officer of International Programs, said. Brand new this year, WSU signed an agreement with the National Student Engage-
ment, enabling students to exchange with different universities in the United States while still paying Weber’s tuition rate. Students must complete two semesters at Weber to participate in the National Student Exchange. “Domestic exchanges through NSE are unique in that students can attend another university without being too far from home,” Hackley said. “They can scout potential graduate schools without high tuition costs, visit friends and family in another state, explore parts of our country they haven’t been to before and much more.”
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MAKAYLA MARTINEZ | The Signpost
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WSU’s foreign exchange program currently offers enrollment to 42 universities in 18 different countries.
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Translator
By CONNOR HOPSON Reporter
A muchos les parece que estudiar en el extranjero está fuera de su bolsillo, pero, en Weber State University, los gastos de viaje para los programas de corta duración están “incluidos en el precio de la matrícula”. Esto significa que el pago de los gastos en el extranjero -como el alojamiento, el transporte y la compensación del profesorado- cubrirá hasta seis horas de crédito en los costes de la matrícula. El programa de intercambio en el extranjero de WSU ofrece actualmente la posibilidad de matricularse en 42 universidades de 18 países diferentes, entre ellos Alemania, Japón y Costa Rica, a quienes hayan cursado al menos un semestre de estudios universitarios. Por otra parte, cualquier persona, desde un “flamante estudiante de primer año 4.8x5.42.pdf 1 3/1/2022 11:15:16 AM hasta nuestro participante de mayor edad de 80 años, puede hacer estudios a corto
plazo en el extranjero durante el verano”, dijo Myranda Hackley, coordinadora de intercambio global, coordinadora nacional de intercambio de estudiantes y especialista administrativa. Los estudios de corta duración en el extranjero para el verano de 2022 se están llenando, pero todavía hay vacantes para estudiar justicia penal en Corea del Sur, con billete de avión incluido, o cocina francesa en Francia, con billete de avión no incluido. Es importante que los estudiantes permanezcan abiertos en el proceso de selección de intercambios en el extranjero, advierte Hackley, ya que la obtención de créditos para la obtención de un título puede no encontrarse en la institución deseada. El crédito de intercambio extranjero se ofrece a través de todos los colegios, excepto el programa de salud, y los estudiantes pueden solicitarlo para el semestre de primavera de 2023 hasta el 15 de octubre. Para el intercambio extranjero a largo plazo, los estudiantes seguirán pagando su tasa de matrícula actual, y se aplican la mayoría de las ayudas financieras, incluidas las becas académicas, las subvenciones Pell y las exenciones de matrícula de los padres.
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También hay varias formas de obtener becas a través del departamento de estudios en el extranjero, como el Opportunity Award o el Exchange Scholarship y otras que se ofrecen a través de departamentos específicos. Hackley también anima a los estudiantes a solicitar fondos de su jefe de departamento. “Para algunos programas, nos enorgullece decir que los estudiantes pueden estudiar en el extranjero por un coste menor que el de estudiar en el campus mientras obtienen el mismo número de créditos”, dijo Yimin Wang, Decano y Oficial Internacional Superior del Study Abroad Department. Como novedad este año, WSU ha firmado un acuerdo con el National Student Engagement, que permite a los estudiantes realizar intercambios con diferentes universidades de Estados Unidos, sin dejar de pagar la matrícula de Weber. Los estudiantes deben completar dos semestres en Weber para participar en el National Student Exchange. “Los intercambios nacionales a través de NSE son únicos, en que los estudiantes
pueden asistir a otra universidad sin estar demasiado lejos de casa”, dijo Hackley. “Pueden explorar posibles escuelas de posgrado sin los altos costos de matrícula, visitar amigos y familiares en otro estado, explorar partes de nuestro país que no han estado antes, y mucho más”. Para más información sobre el programa de estudios en el extranjero, visite https:// www.weber.edu/studyabroad/studyabroad-program.html
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By MARIANNA LUCIA LOPEZ LURITTA
8 | MyWeberMedia.com | March 29, 2022
By TIM COSTELLO Reporter
Many students want to go to college, but often just as many students find themselves without the financial means to do so. To try and close the gap between the two, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid allows students to apply for federal aid and helps colleges determine the financial need of students. The FAFSA is available to all students, regardless of race, gender or financial status, and many collegiate scholarships require students to fill it out. “Everyone wants to go to college,” Jody
Perkins, an access and research specialist, said. “But students don’t have all the resources at their disposal. Our job is to educate them on that so that they’re ready when it’s time to go.” On Weber State University’s campus, a group called Advocates for FAFSA, headed by Perkins, can help students fill out the form, which can often involve complicated situations. Advocates for FAFSA is a relatively new program that originated from the Student-to-Student program, a program that recruits from different high schools in the area. Individuals such as Perkins would travel to the various schools in the area, educating students on how FAFSA works and what resources are available to students.
Although Advocates for FAFSA has evolved from the Student-to-Student program, it still retains a lot of those earlier pieces of the program. Advocates for FAFSA will still recruit from time to time, but now both potential WSU students and current students can meet with Perkins or student advocates one-onone. The student advocates are able to help students as they enter the college atmosphere and can help them adjust once they are there. “Everyone needs their ‘why,’” Perkins said. “You are not mandated to go to college like you are in high school. Yes, getting students here is important. More importantly is getting them to stay here.” Helping students stay in college is a key goal for Perkins, and it is vital for students to
be successful in college. In fact, current students credit Perkins and his FAFSA program as being a key part of being successful in college. For Perkins, the biggest key to the success of students in the college atmosphere is a family matter. He himself graduated with his bachelor’s degree at WSU. He currently has three children, soon to be four, attending WSU. “Every family wants to create that college-going culture,” Perkins said. “I have. Everyone wants that.”
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Weber State has many resources to help students with financial aid, including help with filling out FAFSA forms.
Weber State University
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KENNEDY ROBINS| The Signpost
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When entering the Counseling and Psychological Service Center, the first thing students will see is the staff desk full of plants and mental health pamphlets.
By LEXIE ANDREW Reporter
Life and school can get hard, and students struggle with daily stressors, academic stress and other mental health issues. Having someone to talk to can help relieve some of that stress. The Counseling & Psychological Services Center at Weber State University has tools and resources to help students with their mental health. The counseling center is open for anyone in need of help, whether it’s with depression, anxiety or stress from school. Appointments can be virtual or in person. The counseling center also has therapy groups where students who have similar thoughts, backgrounds or questions can meet together and receive support from one
another. Talking to a counselor or participating in counseling groups can help ease the stress life can bring. Bottling up stress or other feelings can be harmful, so talking to someone and knowing they care can help. Melinda Russell-Stamp, an assistant clinical psychology professor, said having someone to talk to gives people emotional support, knowing they’re being heard and listened to. There are also online and self-help options on the counseling center’s website, such as SafeUT, Therapy Assistance Online and Togetherall, to help students through mental health struggles. On the counseling center’s page, people can take a mental health screener to evaluate their mental health and point them to the help they may need.
The website has tabs for many mental health disorders, such as anxiety, depression, addiction, self-esteem and stress. Each page explains the issue and the feelings one might experience with it and provides tools to help. At the bottom of each page are links to TAO, where a self-guided module will take one through some of those tools mentioned on the page. There are also resources for parents whose children are starting college, faculty and staff to help themselves and their students. There are also local recommendations. The counseling center is a resource to be used, whether it be using resources on their website or meeting with a counselor. If selfhelp is the best option, finding someone to talk to can ease some of that weight that might be there. “Don’t be afraid to ask questions,” Rus-
sell-Stamp said.” If you’re having difficulty with something, it doesn’t have to be mental health-related. It could be stress or has to do with academics or finances or something else. Just ask.” There are resources to help ease the stress of life. The counseling center is the main resource with the most tools to help through the struggles.
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By ANDRES RODRIGUEZ Translator
By LEXIE ANDREW Reporter
t m
mental. En la página del centro de asesoramiento, las personas pueden realizar un examen de salud mental para evaluar su salud mental y señalarles la ayuda que pueden necesitar. El sitio web tiene pestañas para muchos trastornos de salud mental, como ansiedad, depresión, adicción, autoestima y estrés. Cada página explica el problema y los sentimientos que uno podría experimentar al respecto y proporciona herramientas para ayudar. En la parte inferior de cada página hay enlaces a TAO, donde un módulo autoguiado te guiará a través de algunas de las herramientas mencionadas en la página. Hay recursos para padres cuyos hijos están comenzando la universidad, profesores y personal para ayudarse a sí mismos y a sus estudiantes y recomendaciones locales. El centro de consejería es un recurso que se debe usar, ya sea usando recursos en su
sitio web o reuniéndose con un consejero. Si la autoayuda es la mejor opción, encontrar a alguien con quien hablar puede aliviar algo de ese peso que podría estar ahí. “No tenga miedo de hacer preguntas. Si tiene dificultades con algo, no tiene que estar relacionado con la salud mental”, dijo Russell-Stamp. “Podría ser estrés o tiene que ver con lo académico o las finanzas o algo más. Solo pregunta”. Hay recursos para ayudar a aliviar el estrés de la vida. Haga preguntas y alguien podrá orientarlo en la dirección de los recursos. El centro de consejería es el recurso principal con más herramientas para ayudar a través de las luchas.
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KENNEDY ROBINS| The Signpost
La vida y la escuela pueden volverse difíciles. Los estudiantes luchan con los factores estresantes diarios, el estrés académico y otros problemas de salud mental. Tener a alguien con quien hablar puede ayudar a aliviar algo de ese estrés. El Counseling & Psychological Services Center de Weber State University tiene herramientas y recursos para ayudar a los estudiantes con su salud mental. El centro de asesoramiento está abierto para cualquier persona que necesite ayuda, ya sea con depresión, ansiedad o estrés de la escuela. Las citas pueden ser virtuales o en persona.
El centro de asesoramiento también tiene grupos de terapia donde los estudiantes que tienen pensamientos, antecedentes o preguntas similares pueden reunirse y recibir apoyo mutuo. Hablar con un consejero o participar en grupos de asesoramiento puede ayudar a aliviar el estrés que puede traer la vida. Reprimir el estrés u otros sentimientos puede ser dañino, por lo que hablar con alguien y saber que se preocupa por ellos puede ayudar. Melinda Russell-Stamp, una profesora asistente de psicología clínica, dijo que tener a alguien con quien hablar le da a la gente apoyo emocional, sabiendo que están siendo escuchados. También hay opciones en línea y de autoayuda en el sitio web del centro de asesoramiento, como SafeUT, Therapy Assistance Online y Togetherall para ayudar a los estudiantes a superar los problemas de salud
MyWeberMedia.com | March 29, 2022 | 11
Students can read magazines in a calm environment while waiting to speak with their counselors.
HANNAH MOORE | The Signpost
12 | MyWeberMedia.com | March 29, 2022
Lindquist Hall is the College of Social & Behavioral Sciences building. By EZRA STRILEY-WEINMAN Reporter
Navigating college can be difficult and confusing, and deciding a major can be intimidating, but there are people who can help students with these big decisions. Several colleges within Weber State University have services to make it easy to navigate their majors’ requirements. The Lindquist College of Arts & Humanities, Goddard School of Business & Economics and the College of Engineering, Applied Science & Technology have “open-door” policies, meaning students are free to walk in and speak with their advisers anytime.
“If you come in as a student who’s not sure what you want to study, I suggest you take a few gen-ed courses and go with the ones that sound the most interesting,” Deborah Uman, dean of Lindquist College of Arts & Humanities, said. Uman emphasized the journey students take to find their major, and the college of arts and humanities has a diverse array of lower-division classes to meet the interests of most students. Many students worry about the financial return they will make with their major. Uman pressed that it is a common misconception that arts and humanities majors can’t find work or don’t make money.
Uman explained multiple studies prove graduates of the arts and humanities make equal salaries as other disciplines, though she did say it can take longer to reach that point financially. “Education in arts and humanities is all about spurring on your inspirations. We need, as a society, people with these creative skills,” Uman said. The College of Arts & Humanities has classes that cultivate students’ creativity. According to the college’s website, the course list offers classes ranging from poetry to art history to dance. “We are the most fun college. You really get to explore the big question about what
makes us human, our cultures and the things that drive our communities and as individuals,” Uman said. Brian Rague, assistant dean of the College of Engineering, Applied Science & Technology, emphasized the equity, inclusivity and diversity effort of the college. He encourages people of all genders, backgrounds and ethnicities to major in the STEM program. “In STEM fields, if you don’t have diverse thinking, then you’re not serving the broader community in research and development,” Rague said. Rague and the rest of the administration at the college are hoping the female-tomale ratio of students within their programs
HANNAH MOORE | The Signpost
HANNAH MOORE | The Signpost
Tracy Hall is not just the center for the sciences, but is also one of the many buildings on campus that houses courses for engineering, applied science and technology.
continues to grow. Rague believes the field will not develop if there isn’t equal inclusion through all perspectives of life. According to Rague, a student with a STEM degree is very marketable post-graduation. He also claimed that salaries related to jobs that are in the STEM field are very high. “We understand employment is a high priority of a student when entering college,” Rague said. Rague explained that a way to combat the fear of technology advancing so quickly that the job supply runs low is to pursue a career in STEM. This allows students to influence the way technology advances and always be involved with it.
HANNAH MOORE | The Signpost
The Kimball Arts Building is house to many of the arts and humanities classes that are offered at WSU.
HANNAH MOORE | The Signpost
Elizabeth Hall houses the communication and foreign language departments, among other courses.
MyWeberMedia.com | March 29, 2022 | 13
The Browning Center houses many of the performance-related arts and humanities classes.
Matthew Mouritsen, dean of the Goddard School of Business & Economics, explained that the college is designed for the working professional. Mouritsen emphasized the college’s flexible course schedule. Mouritsen said students are often a good fit for business and economics careers if they are good decision-makers. “Our doors are open, our Zooms are open and it’s the personal touch that will make the difference in students’ lives,” Mouritsen said. Comment on this story at signpost.mywebermedia.com
By RAYSHAUN BAKER-LYNCH Reporter
Weber State University’s softball team has had a historic run; sitting at a 22–7 overall, the Wildcats’ longest losing streak lasted only two games. They have beat opponents like Texas A&M University and the University of Utah, and this squad has captured the attention of the NCAA. Although led by seniors and dominant veterans, some young players have shown their potential, including freshman catcher Mika Chong. An only child from Foster City, California, Chong attended Hillsdale High School. Growing up, Chong was interested in multiple sports including volleyball, soccer and swimming. However, she was most passionate about softball. During her senior year, Chong batted .574 and hit 10 home runs in 20 games. “College is way more competitive than
Mika Chong warms up with her team.
high school,” Chong said. “I think that the hardest thing for me was adapting to that competitiveness and changing my mindset to be that competitive.” Looking for an opportunity to play at a university level, Chong decided to tour Weber State, where she was impressed with coach Mary Kay Amicone’s program. “Coach Kay made it feel like a home atmosphere for me,” Chong said. “I wanted to be a part of the family atmosphere that they’re building here.” Moving from California to Utah, Chong has noticed how different Ogden is from her hometown, especially when it comes to the availability of coffee and the weather. “One thing I wanted to experience was to live in snow for the first time,” Chong said. “I’m pretty much over it now, though.” After a clutch performance against UNLV and a 3–3 batting night against the University of San Diego, Chong has proven her effectiveness as a hitter and become Amicone’s secret weapon. When she’s in the bullpen,
however, Chong likes to be a source of encouragement for her teammates. “I’m pretty loud at the games,” Chong said. “When I cheer and support all my teammates, I would say that’s the best part of my game.” Many of the Wildcats’ star players are reaching the end of their tenure. However, freshmen like Chong and sophomores like 2021’s Big Sky Freshman of the Year Mia Rushton are the foundation for the team to continue to build on the success they’ve had in the past years. Coming off a historic pre-season run, the Wildcats look to capture a ninth Big Sky Conference title and success in the post-season.
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SUMMER MUSTER | The Signpost
Weber State’s Mika Chong goes to hit the softball.
SUMMER MUSTER | The Signpost
SUMMER MUSTER | The Signpost
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Mika Chong poses by the dugout after a successful inning.
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CHAD DOWNS
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SUMMER MUSTER | The Signpost
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SUMMER MUSTER | The Signpost
Another OGX bus stop has made driving through campus a little more difficult.
Cones litter one of the campus roads linking campus to Harrison.
Aerial and graphic map of the campus shows the OGX route.
Asst. Section Editor
By MARISA NELSON Managing Editor
Weber State students can expect construction cones and detours around campus for the foreseeable future. Students can and should continue to expect changes in the shuttle system and what travel to and from campus will look like in the next several semesters.
For the past year, construction for the new Ogden Express or OGX line has been ever-present on campus, with new bus stops and routes springing up and taking shape since early 2020. According to the current construction timeline, the OGX should be up and running and ready to transport students from the Dee Events Center to the Browning Center by the start of the fall 2022 semester. The OGX system is a Bus Rapid Transit system, also known as a BRT, which combines the speed and efficiency of a TRAX system and the capacity of a city bus. This also allows for the new system to be emission free with
fully electric buses. This system will replace the current Wildcat Shuttle system at WSU that currently runs from the Dee Events Center down to the Stewart Library. The new shuttle will pick up at the Dee Events Center, make a stop at student housing on Village Drive and then drop off in front of the Browning Center. Four buses will run back and forth between the three stations every 10-15 minutes in the spring and fall semesters and every 15–20 minutes in the summer. As of February 2022, the OGX website updates show the Dee Events Center stop is 75% complete, WSU Village Drive stop is
50% complete and WSU Central campus is about 80% complete. WSU Central stop, or the Browning Center construction zone, is nearly completed, with just station art and glass to be installed. There will be two stations at the Browning Center, with one at the entrance and the other on the opposite side of the bus circle. Each of the stops on and off campus will feature artwork that highlights the culture and history of Ogden. The artists who are contributing work include Cole Eisenhour, Chuck Landvatter, Ann Tarantino, Benjamin Zack, Priscilia DeCarvalho, Monika Bravo, Don Rimx, Jhonattan Aran-
go, Alicia N. Hall, Hillary H. Wallace and Erica Lyon. The intermodal hub that will connect Weber’s campus to all of Ogden is the same as the Dee Event Center hub that will pick up students and transport them to students. Current students familiar with the stop won’t notice much of a change as the hub is just west of the current pickup spot. The buses will also get Transit Signal Priority to keep them running on time. TSP uses sensors to detect approaching vehicles and manipulates the stoplights according to need. It has
capabilities such as extending a green light or shortening a red light. Perhaps the biggest change with the OGX route is that parking at the Dee Events Center will be free come fall semester. “We’re highly encouraging students, faculty and staff to park at the Dee Events Center,” James Larson, public relations specialist at UTA, said. “That will help reduce people having a hard time finding parking, it will reduce the cost of parking for the students...we think that will really help reduce the amount of congestion.”
Students, faculty and staff will need to use their UTA EdPass to ride the updated shuttle system. This pass is free and available on the eWeber portal. All students need to do is click on the EdPass link and accept the terms and conditions. From there, they can pick up their pass at the Shepherd Union Information Desk. This pass can be used any time for the FrontRunner, TRAX train, S-Line Streetcar, bus routes and UTA ››continued on page 18
SUMMER MUSTER | The Signpost
By ALEXANDREA BONILLA
The OGX hub in the Dee Events Center parking lot is well on its way.
The final section of the Browning Center bus stop will be finished in the next year.
18 | MyWeberMedia.com | March 29, 2022 SUMMER MUSTER | The Signpost
››continued from page 17
OnDemand Rideshare. The Transit app provides an upto-date schedule of all UTA routes. The current bus route that runs from the FrontRunner station to Weber’s campus, route 603, will continue to run as usual until late 2023, when the OGX route is expected to be completed. At that point, the 603 will be discontinued and replaced by the OGX. “A lot of these ideas came from Dallas. Dallas is very big on BRT systems, and we went and studied them quite extensively before looking at putting in BRTs in Utah,” Larsen said. “It seems as we talk to cities, it’s the way of the future for transportation.” Students will have the option to choose between the route that stays on campus and the route that goes off campus into downtown Ogden. “There’s always construction in the works or going on right now, but we try to do our construction in the summer so we don’t impact students too much,” Chad Downs, project manager for Campus Planning and Construction, said. While there is still much construction to do throughout Ogden, the on-campus construction should be mostly completed before fall semester begins.
The Browning Center bus drop-off is nearly complete. ISABELLA TORRES | The Signpost
SUMMER MUSTER | The Signpost
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ISABELLA TORRES | The Signpost
An OGX advertisement is pasted on the back of a UTA bus leaving campus.
All sidewalks in front of the Shepherd Union were once closed as a result of the OGX construction during the summer 2021 semester.
All sidewalks in front of the Shepherd Union have had construction on them since the OGX project began.
WSU
MyWeberMedia.com | March 29, 2022 | 19
Reporter
Kaila Lemons and Maria Rios Cabrera are this year’s winners of the Ivory Prize for Excellence in Student Leadership and Community Engagement. Both students will receive a cash prize and a donation towards the recipients’ cause, team or initiative for positively influencing either student success on campus or for being a leader in community engagement. Lemons is WSU’s first campus Zero Waste Coordinator and the president of Food Recovery Network. Over the last two years, Lemons organized 50 volunteers across campus to generate less waste and increase recycling efforts among university groups. The volunteers Lemons recruited also worked with northern Utah’s largest homeless shelter, Lantern House, to donate almost 2,000 pounds of food that would have been wasted. Lemons has spent time organizing and managing clothing and supply swaps, a bicycle fix-it workshop and outdoor sustainability projects such as xeriscaping, tree planting and composting events. WSU senior Cabrera, the student coordinator for the Disability Service Center’s Creating
Achievement Through Transition program, leads a team of mentors who help students with learning disabilities in 11 high schools in the Weber, Davis and Morgan school districts’ transition to college. At 9 years old, Cabrera immigrated from Honduras. Through her struggles with English, her own learning challenges and the culture, Cabrera relates to the adversities these students may face. The Clark and Christine Ivory Foundation established the Ivory Prize in 2020 to encourage and recognize WSU students who are involved in their communities. Nominees are required to be currently enrolled or a graduate of the last five years at WSU. The Center for Community Engaged Learning will host the CCELebration in the Shepherd Union Ballrooms on March 31 from 4-6 p.m.
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WSU
By CATIE WEIMER
WSU
Lemons is WSU’s first campus Zero Waste Coordinator and the president of Food Recovery Network.
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At 9 years old, Cabrera immigrated from Honduras. Through her struggles with English, her own learning challenges and the culture, Cabrera relates to the adversities these students may face.
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SUMMER MUSTER | The Signpost
20 | MyWeberMedia.com | March 29, 2022
The Weber State softball team celebrates after a home run on March 27.
SUMMER MUSTER | The Signpost
SUMMER MUSTER | The Signpost
MyWeberMedia.com | March 29, 2022 | 21
Makayla Donahoo grips the softball and winds up to rocket it across the field to another Weber State player.
Mia Rushton is up to bat and watches the University of Utah pitcher closely.
By EMILY MILLER Section Editor
Weber State softball split the weekend against in-state rivals, the University of Utah, on March 26 and 27 in Salt Lake City and Ogden. The Wildcats opened their weekend traveling to Salt Lake and fell to the Utes 5–1. Arissa Henderson started the first game of the weekend with a single home run to get the ‘Cats on the board, tying the game 1–1. The Utes scored their first run of the game earlier in the game during the bottom of the first inning. Utah established their lead further in the bottom of the sixth inning, adding four more runs on the board and pushing themselves to 5–1. The following day, the Utes traveled up to Ogden, and Weber was ready for their come-
back. Three early runs from the U established a 3–0 lead in the top of the first. The starting pitcher for the Wildcats, Mariah Ramirez, was pulled after allowing two hits and walking two batters. Amanda Sink was pulled onto the mound and finished off the top of the first inning. Both Faith Hoe and Henderson were sent walking, and with two players on bases, McKell McCuistion sent the ball flying out of the park and tied the game 3–3. “It was amazing. It felt good off the bat, but it wasn’t what I was trying to do,” McCuisition said. “Before the game, we were like, ‘Let’s just hit line drives.’ We struggled a little bit yesterday.” Following McCuistion’s home run, Mariah Lopez was pulled from the mound and the Utes brought out Sydney Sandez. Sandez struck out Chloe Camarero, but Emily Ruhl was quick to establish the ‘Cats’
lead with a single home run, giving Weber State their first lead of the game. Makayla Donahoo sent the ball to the outfield for an RBI, pushing the Wildcats to a 5–3 lead. 5–3 would remain lit up on the scoreboard for the majority of the afternoon until the bottom of the sixth inning when Wildcats found themselves cheering on Henderson for the second time in two days. Henderson blasted the ball out of the park and pushed the ‘Cats’ lead to 8–3. Camarero ended her personal home run drought with a solo home run to give the ‘Cats a 9–3 lead. At the top of the seventh inning, the Utes were able to add two runs to the score but ultimately couldn’t catch the ‘Cats. The final score out of Ogden was 9–5. When playing instate rivals, “We don’t have to win every game,” McCuistion said. “We just have to show that we can compete
with these teams.” The Wildcats advanced to 22–7 overall and are set to close play against the Utah State Aggies on March 29. Big Sky Conference play will kick off for the ‘Cats on April 1 as they hit the road and take on the Idaho State Bengals. “We just have to keep doing what we’re doing,” McCusition said. “All of our preseason games we have been doing really well. This is one of our best seasons.” Weber State will be back in Ogden on April 8 to take on the Southern Utah Thunderbirds.
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BELLA TORRES | The Signpost
22 | MyWeberMedia.com | March 29, 2022
Rashid Shaheed was named FCS Special Teams Player of the week following him breaking the all-time record of most returned touchdowns in the FCS history. By ALEC CIPOLLINI Reporter
Before last season, Weber State University’s football team was one of the most dominant forces in the Big Sky Conference as they were crowned the champions of the conference from 2016–19. Some may count the pandemic-shortened season in 2020–21 as another milestone as they did finish first in the conference again after the ‘Cats went 5–0 in the Big Sky, but others might put an asterisk towards that sample-sized campaign due to cancellations caused by COVID-19 outbreaks infecting other universities. Regardless, WSU head coach Jay Hill and his squad have shown moments of brilliance since he took over the program in 2014 as his players have created memories and will hopefully continue to put on a show in the future. These are my two most memorable moments of Weber State athletics, both from the football program. Wild fourth quarter powers WSU to 35–34 upset win over then-No. 2 Eastern Washington Last season was full of ups and downs for Weber State as they won one home game and went 6–5.
After starting the season 2–4, the Wildcats traveled to Cheney, Washington, and clashed with then-No. 2 ranked Eastern Washington on Oct. 26 as WSU looked for a response. Eagles quarterback Eric Barriere opened up the score by rushing into the end zone for a touchdown at 7:49 left in the first quarter, and EWU was up 7–0. Weber State wide receiver Rashid Shaheed caught a 44-yard pass from quarterback Bronson Barron. Running back Kris Jackson would score a 1-yard touchdown and WSU tied the game 7–7. After a touchdown by Eastern Washington and a pair of field goals converted by Wildcats kicker Kyle Thompson, the Eagles went into halftime with a 14–13 lead. Both teams would score a touchdown in the third quarter, and the score was 21–20 for EWU before chaos broke loose in the fourth quarter. At 12:39, Jackson would score another touchdown after WSU defensive lineman Jared Schiess ended the play with a fourth down conversion as he returned the ball for 20 yards and Weber State got their first lead of the ball game as the score was 27–21. On the ensuing play, cornerback Eddie Heckard intercepted a pass from Barriere and returned the ball for a 18-yard carry, which would end up being the biggest play of the game.
That would set up Jackson, who would find himself in the end zone again at 8:42 as he rushed for 13 yards to score a touchdown to extend the lead to 33–21 before the Wildcats completed a 2-point conversion to make it 35–21 for WSU. Eastern Washington scored two more touchdowns to minimize the deficit to 35–34 before Eagles kicker Seth Harrison missed an attempted field goal opportunity with 2:51 in the fourth quarter. Weber State would hang on to pull off one of the biggest upsets in the Big Sky last season as Heckard’s interception and Jackson’s third touchdown of the game secured the 35–34 victory. Shaheed’s seventh career return touchdown against Idaho State Ironically, the next game after the huge win against Eastern Washington produced another memorable moment that also broke a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division 1 FCS record. WSU faced off against Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho, on Oct. 30 as the Wildcats were looking to even up their record to 4–4 at the time. Shaheed was not just a wide receiver; he was also the Wildcats’ punt returner, and he had five college return touchdowns going into last season. He managed to pull one off in the first
game of the 2021 season as Shaheed caught the ball and ran down the field for his sixth in Salt Lake City against the University of Utah during a non-conference matchup on Sept. 2. Weber State was leading 20–10 against Idaho State with 5:30 left in the third quarter before Bronson Barron threw a pass that was intercepted by Bengals cornerback Jayden Dawson. Dawson ran for 45 yards to score a touchdown. ISU kicker David Allish followed up by kicking a field goal to execute a 1-point conversion as Idaho State lessened the Wildcats’ lead to 20–17. Allish punted the ball down the field before Shaheed turned on the jets and slipped past the Bengals defenders to score a 98yard return touchdown. As Shaheed ran down toward the end zone at 5:17, the San Diego, California, native threw up seven of his fingers, because he knew that was his seventh return touchdown of his college career, which shattered the record for most by a single player in FCS history. Weber State went on to win 40–17, and Shaheed won the Big Sky Player of the Week and FCS Special Teams Player of the Week after the great play against the Bengals. Comment on this story at signpost.mywebermedia.com
BELLA TORRES | The Signpost
MyWeberMedia.com | March 29, 2022 | 23
WSU Athletics
WSU Athletics
Weber State University’s Rashid Shaheed looks to return the ball following the kick off.
Weber State’s Jon Christensen rushes to the field before the whistle is The Weber State offensive line rush to hold back the Idaho State blown. defense.
PSYCHED FOR CATIE WEIMER | The Signpost
24 | MyWeberMedia.com | March 29, 2022
Part of the Zoom presentation by Dr. Benjamin Eschler on March 24. By CATIE WEIMER Reporter
Dr. Benjamin Eschler spoke to students interested in neuropsychology over Zoom to explain what a neuropsychologist does. The former WSU student explained possible academic paths to take to become one and what to expect when applying for master’s or doctoral programs. “If it’s something you want to do, just prepare in your mind that it might not just be five to seven years before you’re out working and doing what you want to do,” Eschler said. “You may have to do two years of work, or you may have to do a master’s degree. Not to scare you, but just to prepare you and encourage you that it’s possible.” A neuropsychologist is a person with a doctorate in clinical psychology that studies the
brain-behavior relationships in a person with potential memory and thinking problems through cognitive testing. Eschler gave two different talks on March 24 for the Neuroscience Lecture Series as part of Brain Awareness Week. His second lecture was “The Neuropsychology of Brain Tumors.” “We try and map different areas of the brain to discover different patterns,” Eschler said. “Usually, it’s to identify symptoms or complaints involving memory or other thinking skills.” The changes in a person’s thinking and memory can occur from various disorders or diseases, such as ADHD, epilepsy, a traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer’s or depression. Memory changes can even happen in people with cancer, from what’s known as “chemo brain,” or from a stressful period in a person’s life. “Our tests are actually sensitive enough
that I can, usually, with 80–90% accuracy, determine whether someone has Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia,” Eschler said. “We had come up with some really sound techniques to help us understand that.” It may be hard for students to know if neuropsychology is a field of interest. Eschler compared it to the training necessary to become a therapist, since it’s challenging to shadow a neuropsychologist to learn. “You may have learned that if you want to do therapy, but you’re not sure if you like it or not, there’s not a lot of ways to get good experience doing it,” Eschler said. “It’s similar with neuropsychology.” As far as choosing where to take one’s education, Eschler told attendees it’s essential to know where they want to end up in their careers. An endpoint will help individuals figure out what extra education they do or do not need.
“If you want to do therapy, don’t get a Ph.D., right?” Eschler said. “If you want to be in a room with a patient doing therapy, seeing ten patients a day, then get a master’s degree; it’s done faster, you’ll have less debt and you’ll be able to do what you want to do.” According to Eschler, it does not necessarily matter what a student’s bachelor’s degree is. However, working on an undergraduate degree is when a student should start preparing for getting into a Ph.D. or PsyD program. “The main difference between a Ph.D. and a PsyD program is that Ph.D.s typically have more research requirements,” Eschler said. “PsyDs typically have less research and are more clinically focused.” Eschler told attendees to begin looking through sites and information early. Students should be figuring out where they will need to apply near the end of their junior year. Eschler told attendees that there are two
MyWeberMedia.com | March 29, 2022 | 25
language, I like traumatic brain injury;’ the wrong tactic,” Eschler said. “You want to be very specific; they don’t want just someone that can do anything. They want to know you’re going to come in, you’re going to be committed and you’re going to be productive.” Before a student can graduate with a doctorate, they need to do a one-year internship. An internship requires students to go through a matching process where they will pay to submit applications to each site and, if chosen, will be interviewed. The student and the site will both rank each other, and the results get submitted to an algorithm. On the day everyone is matched, the site will then tell the student if they have been accepted or not. If a student is not accepted, the process then starts over.
“Fortunately, you don’t have to pay more money at that point, but you still have to go through all these interviews and then do another ranking,” Eschler said. Once a student starts their internship, they will take a full clinical load. After around four months in, the student will need to look for two-year post-doctoral fellowships specializing in neuropsychology. The matching process then begins all over again. After it’s all done, the individual goes to Chicago for testing and credentials check, attendance verification at an accredited program and proof of an internship and a fellowship. Then the person may need to get board-certified, a requirement at some places for a neuropsychologist, such as an academic medical center like the University of Utah.
Eschler told students how important it was to learn to communicate with and solicit the advice of the many mentors available to them at WSU. One idea he suggested was to have any on-campus mentors look over applications and letters before submitting them. “When I was applying for the first time, I thought I knew what I was doing,” Eschler said. “I thought I was tough stuff, and I didn’t have anyone read my cover letters. So make sure you’re talking to your mentors at Weber; they’re there to help, they love you, they care about you.”
Comment on this story at signpost.mywebermedia.com CATIE WEIMER | The Signpost
ways he recommends getting the training to become a neuropsychologist. The first is to look for a job to become a psychometrist, a person trained to administer tests. The second is to become a research assistant for someone working in cognitive testing. “Psychometrists work like a nurse works with a doctor,” Eschler said. “They are trained in administering these standardized tests and batteries.” Research assistants can administer similar tests and receive the vital training necessary outside of a clinical setting. Eschler said that when he was writing letters for his doctorate applications, he was not being specific about his research interests. Because the letter’s goal is to get picked by a mentor, it’s important to be particular. “I remember saying, ‘I like autism, I like
A path for neuropsychology.
26 | MyWeberMedia.com | March 29, 2022
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Allison Barlow Hess, the public relations director for Weber State University, will retire after 30 years on April 29. A reception in her honor will be held at the Lindquist Alumni Center garden room on April 8 from 2-4 p.m. Hess started at WSU in 1992 as an adjunct professor after working at KSL-TV in Salt Lake City as a reporter. Five years later, Hess accepted a full-time faculty position and, in 2010, Hess took over as the PR director. During her tenure at Weber, Hess received the H. Aldous Dixon Award. Since 1970, the Alumni Association has honored University faculty and staff with this award, named in memory of WSU’s President Dixon. Dixon held this position from 1919-1920 and 1937-1953. Winners of the Dixon Award show excellence in their WSU careers while going above and beyond their job descriptions to support students. Previously, Hess has been honored with the George and Beth Lowe Innovative Teaching Award, the Hemingway Vitality Award and the Presidential Outstanding Staff Award for exemplary service.
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Amanda Jones, president of NASA, wanted to utilize the event to highlight indigenous voices. By COBY CRISLER
Reporter
Family and friends gathered to the sounds of powerful drum beats and the twirling bright colors as the 43rd annual Native American Student Association Powwow officially commenced on March 26 at Weber State. The COVID-19 outbreak had canceled and postponed many events at WSU, including the last two years of powwows. But as cases decrease and the community is able to open up bit by bit, this event found itself back and stronger than ever. Amanda Jones, president of NASA, expressed her hopes of reconnecting to campus and highlighting Indigenous voices during this event. “It’s bringing the community, bringing the people together,” Jones said. “I love the sense of the community we build when we have these events, and I think it strengthens the relationship we have with the university
and the relationship that we have with the community.” Jones also spoke about the staff at Weber and their involvement with students. “Tashina Barber has been one of our favorite advisers. She has helped us immensely with the planning process of the powwow,” Jones said. “She’s really good at talking with us and making sure we’re part of the conversation when it comes to Weber State. She’s a really good person to meet up here on campus.” Like many campus events, the powwow was open to both students and members of the community in and around Ogden. The hallways were filled with vendors selling homemade jewelry and artwork, often featuring a family craft or tradition that could be passed down through the generations. “That’s important for us, because we want to make sure that something that stays within their families and is passed on,” Jones said. “And by purchasing this, it really helps them out.”
The student-run Native American Student Association is responsible for organizing activities that honor the voices and culture of Native American scholars within the community.
Florence Littlefoot, one of the many vendors at the event, shared Jones’ sentiments about being able to return to friends and family after the isolation of COVID-19. Michael Haswood and local R&B artist Rhonda “Honey” Duvall, two vendors who participated in the event, found that the return of the event allowed them to sell their artwork and promote their work. Haswood was able to promote his work in preserving the Bears Ears monument, while Duvall promoted her own artistry that focuses on teaching children about their Native American heritage. Kassie John, a participant at the event and contestant in the upcoming 2022 Miss Indian World pageant, found the event important in helping children reconnect with their culture. It builds a reciprocal relationship between them and their community. Patricia John, WSU alumna and former head lady of the 42nd annual powwow described how the return from COVID-19 and the upgraded location of the Dee Events
Center resulted in the strongest attendance the event has ever been. John was also a member of NASA during her time as a student at Weber. She expressed how proud she was to see the club grow and remain strong. Students and visitors alike can expect even more events like this year-round at Weber State. During Native American Heritage Month in November, NASA hosts many events, all supporting and teaching Native American history and culture. The local NAACP chapter also takes over during Black History Month in February with their own events and celebrations. Even the Asian Student Involvement Association hosted events and festivities during their Asian Awareness Week back in the beginning of February. All of these and more are a common sight at Weber and are part of its community and culture. Comment on this story at signpost.mywebermedia.com
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2. The answer is D, Reptiles. According to CNN, the man smuggled more than a thousand reptiles into the U.S. Some of the reptiles were captured in Mexico, while others were imported all the way from Hong Kong. The man, Jose Manuel Perez, smuggled in more than 1,700 animals, with a value of more than $739,000. Perez could face up to a 190-year sentence if indicted. 3. The answer is A, He created the GIF. According to USA Today’s podcast, Talking Tech, Wilhite created the GIF when he was a computer programmer at CompuServe. GIFs originated as a way to display images on slow internet access. In an interview from 2013, Wilhite said that GIF is supposed to be pronounced with a soft G, similar to a J.
MGN
4. The answer is D, Udoka Azubuike. According to KSL, the player had surgery to repair ankle and foot ligaments. Azubuike has had three different ankle injuries in the past 13 months, with his last injury on March 10 taking him out of recent games. 5. The answer is D, 132 people. According to The New York Times, all 132 passengers have been pronounced dead. Investigators have been able to identify 120 of the passengers using DNA samples. The cause of the crash is still unknown.
The future of high school sports may change.
MGN
1. The answer is C, This bill would ban transgender girls from participating on girls’ high school sport teams. According to The Standard Examiner, Utah lawmakers overrode Gov. Spencer Cox’s veto 56-18 in the Utah House of Representatives. The Utah House and Senate also approved a budget of $500,000 to cover legal costs in the event of a court challenge.
The China Eastern crash investigation continues.
