Campus Gun Violence: The Signpost 4/2/24

WHAT

UTAHCOLLEGEMEDIA OUTLETSCOLLABORAte

By GRETEL MONJAR Asst. Section Editor

1. 2.

Who posted “The Church of the Holy Alphabet has yet to claim December 25th. Will that be next?” after the annual Transgender Day of Visibility fell on Easter Sunday?

A. Gov. Spencer Cox

B. Sen. Mike Lee

C. Donald Trump

D. Joe Biden

Where were human skeletal remains found on Saturday?

A. Willard Bay

B. Zion National Park

C. Bear Lake

D. Bonneville Salt Flats

3. 4.

Justin Zanik, Utah Jazz general manager, will be receiving a kidney transplant from a living donor. What are his plans for after the surgery?

A. Retire from Utah Jazz

B. Manage the New York Knicks

C. Continue to manage the Utah Jazz after recovery

D. Run for President of the U.S.

DO YOU KNOW YOUR NEWS? ANSWERS

Wednesday, April 3rd Panelist

1st

2nd

On April 1, Utah health officials warned about a potential outbreak of what?

A. Chicken Pox

B. Measles

C. Saturday Night Fever

D. Scarlet Fever

Performance Premiere: This was water

When: April 5 @ 7:30 pm

Where: Weber State University Val A.

Browning Center - Eccles Theater

Price: Free & open to public

Check website for more info:

https://weber.edu/artscalendar

This was water is a new musical work by Carey Campbell, WSU professor and Lindquist Creative Fellowship recipient. The piece is intended to bring awareness to the drying of the Great Salt Lake and inspire action to avert this ecological crisis.

By MEGAN SWANN Section Editor

By BRISA ODENTHAL Section Editor

By MARIANNA LOPEZ-LURITTA Managing Editor

Most of the following articles in this edition come from the 2024 Utah College Media Collaborative. This project was sponsored by Amplify Utah and PBS Utah, and sought to create a collaboration between Weber State University, University of Utah, Utah State University and Salt Lake Community College. These schools came together and selected the theme of guns on the college campus for this project. Three of our

POR NELLY HERNANDEZ TEJADA Traductor

POR MEGAN SWANN Editor de Sección

POR BRISA ODENTHAL Editor de Sección

POR MARIANNA LOPEZ-LURITTA Director Editorial

Most of the following articles in this edition come from the 2024 Utah College Media Collaborative. This project was sponsored by Amplify Utah and PBS Utah, and sought to create a collaboration between Weber State University, University of Utah, Utah State University and Salt Lake Commu-

students participated in this program, and these are their experiences with it.

Megan Swann

Talking about guns on college campuses is never easy. I understood this going into the project, yet I was still surprised how difficult it was to create our interview videos. Many people declined being in the video, either because they didn’t know enough about the topic or because they felt uncomfortable talking about it.

I think my biggest takeaway from this project is that we need to have more healthy conversations about access to guns on college campuses. With strong opinions to past traumatic experiences, it will always be an uncomfortable topic; however, simply not talking about it is not the solution. I hope that viewers of this collaborative move for-

nity College. These schools came together and selected the theme of guns on the college campus for this project. Three of our students participated in this program, and these are their experiences with it.

Megan Swann

Talking about guns on college campuses is never easy. I understood this going into the project, yet I was still surprised how difficult it was to create our interview videos. Many people declined being in the video, either because they didn’t know enough about the topic or because they felt uncomfortable talking about it.

I think my biggest takeaway from this project is that we need to have more healthy conversations about access to guns on college campuses. With strong opinions to past traumatic experiences, it will always be an

ward with that in mind.

Marianna Lopez

Being part of a project like this is so inspiring and important because we can give a voice to the students who can’t. PBS has been a wonderful experience that allowed us to show our talents and passion for journalism. Sometimes harsh topics are hard to address, but PBS gave us the opportunity to talk about it.

Being part of the team as a translator means so much to me because it allows me to get to more people and communities by breaking the language barrier. Guns on campus is an important aspect of our security that every student needs to know about no matter the background or language they talk to.

Brisa Odenthal

Guns and gun safety, especially as it relates to schools, is a topic that many people in my age group have had drilled into their heads. Through this PBS collaborative I have gotten the opportunity to learn a lot about Utah’s gun laws and the perspectives on this of my fellow college students. My biggest takeaway from the project is that transparency about gun-related legislation is something Utah needs. Most of the students we interviewed were not aware of Utah’s concealed carry policy, and that’s a problem. To create the safest environment, mentally and physically, for these students, there needs to be more awareness and honesty about these policies.

uncomfortable topic; however, simply not talking about it is not the solution. I hope that viewers of this collaborative move forward with that in mind.

Marianna Lopez

Being part of a project like this is so inspiring and important because we can give a voice to the students who can’t. PBS has been a wonderful experience that allowed us to show our talents and passion for journalism. Sometimes harsh topics are hard to address, but PBS gave us the opportunity to talk about it.

Being part of the team as a translator means so much to me because it allows me to get to more people and communities by breaking the language barrier. Guns on campus is an important aspect of our security that every student needs to know about

no matter the background or language they talk to.

Brisa Odenthal

Guns and gun safety, especially as it relates to schools, is a topic that many people in my age group have had drilled into their heads. Through this PBS collaborative I have gotten the opportunity to learn a lot about Utah’s gun laws and the perspectives on this of my fellow college students.

My biggest takeaway from the project is that transparency about gun-related legislation is something Utah needs. Most of the students we interviewed were not aware of Utah’s concealed carry policy, and that’s a problem. To create the safest environment, mentally and physically, for these students, there needs to be more awareness and honesty about these policies.

This story is jointly published as part of the Utah College Media Collaborative, a historic cross-campus project bringing together emerging journalists from Salt Lake Community College, the University of Utah, Utah State University and Weber State University. The collaborative is an Amplify Utah project with support from PBS Utah.

By KYLE FORBUSH Contributor KYLE FORBUSH | The Globe

The winter air outside Logan is sharp and thin on the morning of Feb. 17, and a rapid succession of what sounds like firecrackers breaks the prevailing sound of a frigid, unyielding wind.

The source of the noise is a combination of pistols, rifles and shotguns fired by gun owners at Cache Valley Public Shooting Range, which sits just a few miles west of downtown Logan and houses two firing ranges.

Inside the building, the Utah State University Shooting Club prepares for their weekly practice. Haedyn Buchanan readies her attendant shooters for the drills of the day, which will subsequently train them for an upcoming national clay target competition.

Utah State’s shooting club is one of two gun clubs at the four colleges in the Utah College Media Collaborative, along with the University of Utah’s pistol marksmanship club. The other two colleges in the collaborative, Weber State University and Salt Lake Community College, do not have shooting clubs.

But all it takes for a club to form is someone like Buchanan, USU shooting club president, who has been shooting rifles since age 8 and shotguns since age 15.

“Shotgun [shooting] is what I did growing up,” Buchanan, a USU senior studying technical communication and rhetoric who founded the club with one other student in 2021, said. “There’s a youth shooting team based here in Logan and over 10 youth shotgun clubs in Utah. It gets competitive, and you can go to nationals as a kid.”

The sport of shooting

The team Buchanan leads is composed of 12 members, but not everyone competes. The club is separated into “casual” and “competitive,” and the competitive squad has two important annual events that they take part in each year.

In its short history, the shooting club has already found success, bringing home multiple trophies, medals and even a victory belt.

At each regional or national competition, and in practices leading up to major events, the aim is to shoot clay targets with a shotgun. Going one at a time, shooters stand at the end of concrete walkways that lead partially out into a muddy field, with five separate positions in total.

When they’re ready, the shooter yells, “Pull.” Someone with a remote clicks a button, and a clay disc with a bright orange streak flashes through the air at an angle.

“I love the discipline,” Chandler Wilson, a club member and USU junior studying electrical engineering, said. “There’s just so many small mechanics that go into shooting and practicing shooting.”

Wilson had never shot a shotgun before joining the club in his freshman year. He said he appreciates the challenge, adding that “figuring out how the guns work is also fun.”

The variety of shooting sports is evidenced in the contrast between the clubs at USU and the U, the latter of which hosts a collegiate pistol team, rather than a shotgun sports club. Instead of shooting moving clay targets, members of the pistol team fire one-handed at stationary paper bullseyes, which look like dart boards.

Matt DeLong, faculty in the physics department at the U, helped form the marksmanship club in 1994 and still serves as their most involved coach, leading practices weekly in the basement of a building on the U campus. Like the USU shooting club, the U pistol team competes regularly.

This year, of the pistol team’s 14 participants, six shooters earned spots at collegiate nationals, which took place in Georgia from March 20 to 23. The Utes took home the third place team trophy for air pistol. Of the six or seven major precision shooting events worldwide, the U’s team participates in three: air pistol, standard pistol and sport pistol.

“We have a program that generates athletes,” DeLong said.

And for all three events, the safety rules are clear and even printed in red on the wall of the range at the university. Range safety officer Hyrum Davis explained the main rules for the shooting range.

“Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction, always keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to fire and always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use,” Davis said.

Maintaining safety through diligence and knowledge

Wilson said an appreciation of guns comes with the necessity of knowing how they work and how to stay safe around them. His fiancee used to be nervous around firearms, but as he introduced her to shooting safety, she’s started to feel more comfortable around guns.

“A lot of people I’ve met who are scared of guns have never touched one before,” Wilson said. “And that’s why they’re scared.”

USU shotgun club member Wyatt Montgomery echoed Wilson’s sentiment. He said having exposure to guns is key to destigma-

tizing the sport of shooting.

“There’s a bad rap around guns because you don’t hear about them until something bad happens,” Montgomery said. “Seeing it as a sport makes it a little more relatable … Like basketball or football, it’s a competitive sport, so you can go out and watch it and be perfectly fine with it. You don’t [often] hear about guns in that context, so there’s a weird dynamic of them being ‘dangerous.’”

Kade Meyer, another USU club member, said while guns are available to rent at the range his team frequents, personally owning a gun helps team members know how to safely participate in the sport of shooting.

“It’s better for members to have their own guns,” Meyer said. “It builds that safety factor that comes with being experienced, and so we can [all] trust that we’re being safe when we’re competing.”

The dorms at USU allow guns to be stored in locked containers, Wilson said, adding that

(From left) University of Utah Pistol Team members Bridget Raymundo, Amir and Soren Portillo shooting in a qualifier for nationals at the U pistol range on Feb. 9, 2024. Their scores decided if they were invited to collegiate nationals for precision pistol shooting, which was held in Georgia from March 20 to 23.

one must seek permission from the dorm first. Wilson also emphasized the importance of disassembling his guns when they’re not in use.

Wilson said he rigidly follows gun safety rules, even when his gun is disassembled. This includes having a lock on his gun case and on the gun itself, always pointing it in a safe direction, and treating his guns as if they were loaded — even when he’s certain they’re not.

But responsible gun ownership, aside from being about safety, is also about accountability, according to Amir, a U pistol team competitor studying mechanical engineering who wished to have their last name kept private.

“Always know where your own firearms are and who can have access to them,” Amir said. “And especially narrow that group down. If the gun is inside your house, limit it to your

family and make sure your house is secured.”

Benefits beyond the shot

Wilson said the competitive team has brought numerous benefits to his life.

“Shooting has been a big stress reliever,” Wilson said. “I had a hard time adjusting to college when I first came to USU … then I found this team.”

As the USU club president, Buchanan said she has learned a lot about organization and communication, which has also aligned with her degree path.

“It has definitely taught me a lot of leadership skills,” Buchanan said. “It has especially helped me with my job now — how to have communication skills, be able to talk with a lot of people, and organize things like practices and big competitions.”

TOP LEFT: USU shotgun shooting club member Chandler Wilson aims and shoots at a clay target (not pictured) at Cache Valley Public Shooting Range on the morning of Feb. 17, 2024.

TOP RIGHT: Gun safety rules are shown printed in red on the wall above the stalls in the on-campus pistol range at the University of Utah. One: treat every weapon as if it is loaded. Two: Never point a weapon at anything you do not intend to shoot. Three: Keep your finger straight and off the trigger until you are ready to fire. Four: Keep the weapon on safe until you intend to fire.

BOTTOM: (from left) USU shotgun shooting club members Haedyn Buchanan, Ty Rowser, Braedin Hill and Kade Meyer at their Feb. 17 practice. Buchanan helped form the club with one other student in 2021 and currently holds the role of president.

In his three decades of coaching the U pistol team, DeLong has seen shooting improve competitors’ self-confidence.

“The same quasi-academic skills that make you a good shooter also make you a good student in other fields,” DeLong said.

He said the student athletes he coaches on the pistol team have increased aptitude for focus, concentration and time management from being involved in the sport of precision shooting.

“You know how, in other college sports, the graduation rate among athletes is considered very important?” DeLong said. “Well, as far as I know, since [the U team] was formed, we have had a 100% graduation rate.”

Kyle Forbush reported and wrote this story as a journalism student at Salt Lake Community College.

JOSEPH HOLDER The Globe

JOSEPH HOLDER The Globe

BAO LAM

This story is jointly published as part of the Utah College Media Collaborative, a historic cross-campus project bringing together emerging journalists from Salt Lake Community College, the University of Utah, Utah State University and Weber State University. The collaborative is an Amplify Utah project with support from PBS Utah.

By TERESA CHAIKOWSKY Contributor

Michigan State University made national news in February 2023 when a gunman killed three students and injured five others. Then, in December, another gunman killed three faculty members at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

These two cases resulted in the first time that more than one mass shooting – in which at least three people were killed – took place at a U.S. college campus in a single year, according to data from independent groups. They accounted for two of the last nine college shootings since 2007.

Because no public government database tracks shootings at colleges, and because most databases define mass shootings as those that kill at least four (which excludes cases like Morgan State University in October 2023, which saw five injuries), the actual number of mass shootings at colleges is inexact. Nonetheless, these incidents come amid a dramatic spike in the number of mass shootings during the last decade.

Avoid, deny and defend

Following last year’s school shootings, security teams at Utah’s leading higher education institutions have doubled down on their active shooter protocols in the hopes of preventing a domestic mass shooting.

Salt Lake Community College, the state’s largest two-year college, puts forth three words to its employees and students in the case of a violent intruder: run, hide or fight. These are the same words UNLV posted to its X account when it confirmed an active shooter in December.

The advice asks one to exit the area if possible and, if not, to hide instead, with fighting as a last resort. The University of Utah and Utah State University also advise their communities to follow this protocol in the case of a violent intruder. Weber State University uses different, albeit similar, language: avoid, deny and defend. Each school has produced a video that demonstrates these protocols.

Shane Crabtree, associate vice president of public safety at SLCC, said his office runs a shooter simulation twice a year alongside fire and law agencies.

“We take advantage of the spring and winter breaks when there aren’t classes and there’s nobody around,” Crabtree said. “We run through different scenarios to be trained on a violent intruder. We also bring in a SWAT team to evaluate us [annually].”

Likewise, WSU police Capt. Mike Davies said campus safety officers train more than once a year on their active shooter response, teaming up with surrounding law and fire agencies as well as local hospitals for trial-run exercises.

“We all train together because we would all respond together,” Davies said. “These efforts increase all of our abilities to do so.”

Make a plan

WSU offers and encourages its employees and students to take a four-hour training program called CRASE, or Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events. The program, part of the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training model, provides strategies, guidance and a “proven plan for surviving an active shooter event,” according to the Texas-based ALERRT Center.

According to safety information posted on the websites of SLCC, Weber, USU and the U, each school employs opt-in emergency alert systems that notify employees and students in the case of an active shooter or other potentially dangerous scenarios. The alert systems contact users via text and email and, except for SLCC, also offer a companion mobile app.

As stated on their housing policy websites, WSU and the U allow students living on campus to request a roommate who does not have a concealed firearm. Additionally, these two schools, as well as SLCC and USU, stated on their websites that they have designated hearing rooms that prohibit the possession of firearms.

This allows for a secure area where disputes can be heard without the fear of a violent escalation.

completing of their active shooter training, WSU responders aid a wounded person, portraying a victim, in boarding a medical aircraft.

“There are safes and/or lock boxes outside each of these locations where individuals must secure their firearms,” Amanda DeRito, associate vice president for strategic communications at USU, said in describing the school’s process. “In addition, USU holds many grievance hearings via Zoom or other video conferencing methods as an additional safety precaution.”

Concealed weapons on campus

In addition to immediate danger when a shooter is on campus, school officials must also contend with a potential increase in law-abiding people who carry concealed firearms.

On Feb. 15, 2021, Gov. Spencer Cox signed a new law that removed the state requirement for law-abiding Utahns over the age of 21 to have a permit to carry a concealed firearm. There is a provisional firearm permit for 18–20-year-olds.

According to the Utah Department of Public Safety, a concealed firearm permit application may be denied for reasons such as felony conviction, convicted of a crime of violence or domestic violence offense.

Even though the requirement to have a concealed permit has been lifted in Utah, public institutions of higher education still require a permit to carry a concealed weapon and require provisional permits for 18–20-year-olds on campus.

“You cannot carry a weapon on campus,

unless you are authorized by the legislature,” Crabtree said. “And I give them the Utah Code [76-10-505.5].”

However, there is no state law requiring a concealed permit holder to make it known that they have a permit.

The websites of the U, SLCC, USU and Weber have no mention of a requirement that concealed permit holders identify themselves, but they do require them to follow all state and federal laws on gun policies.

Crabtree said they address the concealed weapon permit requirement policy if they become aware of someone not having a permit.

Scott Carver, deputy chief safety officer of police services at the U’s Department of Safety, explained that Salt Lake City’s proximity to the tracks often brings about various issues.

“We’re part of Salt Lake City, and for the good and the bad, the track lines are a feeder line for issues to come up here,” Carver said. “We carry firearms as a preventative measure.”

Carver said the department’s mindset is to stay optimistic when preparing for potential threats.

“You know, we hope for the best and train for the worst,” Carver said. “And just like every other entity, the university has had significant violent issues on campus. Therefore, it’s an unfortunate reality for the community that weapons are necessary to respond to crimes.”

Teresa Chaikowsky reported and wrote this story as a journalism student at Salt Lake Community College.

Upon

Weber State University

WSU police officers gather to receive instructions while wearing safety gear for their active shooter drill.

SLCC officers orchestrate an active shooter drill. Two

from WSU escort a depicted injured individual out of the premises.

A simulated victim reclines on a stretcher as WSU police officers guide them into the ambulance.

WSU respondents rush into the building to inspect safety, casualties, and potential threats.

Weber State University

Weber State University

Weber State University

Salt Lake Community College

Esta historia se publica conjuntamente como parte de Utah College Media Collaborative, un proyecto histórico e interuniversitario que reúne a periodistas emergentes de Salt Lake Community College, University of Utah, Utah State University y Weber State University. La colaboración es un proyecto de Amplify Utah con el apoyo de PBS Utah.

POR MARIANNA LOPEZ-LURITTA

Traductor

By TERESA CHAIKOWSKY Contributor

Michigan State University fue noticia nacional en febrero de 2023, cuando un hombre armado mató a tres estudiantes e hirió a otros cinco. Después, en diciembre, otro hombre armado mató a tres profesores de la University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Estos dos casos resultaron en la primera vez que hubo más de un tiroteo masivo – en el que murieron al menos tres personas – en un campus universitario estadounidense en un solo año, según datos de grupos independientes. Ellos representaron dos de los últimos nueve tiroteos en universidades desde 2007.

Debido a que ninguna base de datos pública del gobierno hace un seguimiento de los tiroteos en universidades, y debido a que la mayoría de las bases de datos definen los tiroteos masivos como aquellos en los que mueren al menos cuatro personas (lo que excluye casos como el de Morgan State University en octubre de 2023, en el que hubo cinco heridos), el número real de tiroteos masivos en universidades es inexacto. No obstante, estos incidentes se producen en medio de un aumento dramático en el número de tiroteos masivos durante la última década.

Evitar, negar y defender

Tras los tiroteos del año pasado, los equipos de seguridad de las principales instituciones de educación superior de Utah han redoblado sus protocolos contra tiradores activos con la esperanza de prevenir un tiroteo doméstico. Salt Lake Community College, la universidad de dos años más grande del estado, propone tres palabras a sus empleados y estudiantes en caso de intruso violento: huir, esconderse o pelear. Estas son las mismas palabras que la UNLV publicó en su cuenta X cuando confirmó un tirador activo en diciembre.

El consejo pide que uno salga del área si es posible y, si no, que se esconda y que pelee como último recurso. University of Utah y Utah State University también aconsejan a

sus comunidades que sigan este protocolo en caso de un intruso violento. Weber State University utiliza un lenguaje diferente, aunque similar: evitar, negar y defender. Cada escuela ha producido un vídeo que demuestra estos protocolos.

Shane Crabtree, vicepresidente asociado de seguridad pública de SLCC, dijo que su oficina realiza una simulación de tirador dos veces al año junto con los bomberos y las agencias de policía.

“Aprovechamos las vacaciones de primavera e invierno cuando no hay clases y no hay nadie”, dijo Crabtree. “Recorremos diferentes escenarios para entrenarnos contra un intruso violento. También traemos un equipo SWAT para que nos evalúe [anualmente]”.

Asimismo, el capitán de la policía de WSU, Mike Davies, dijo que los agentes de seguridad del campus se entrenan más de una vez al año en su respuesta a los tiradores activos, trabajando en equipo con las agencias de policía y bomberos circundantes, así como con hospitales locales para realizar ejercicios de prueba.

“Todos entrenamos juntos porque todos responderíamos juntos”, dijo Davies. “Estos esfuerzos aumentan todas nuestras capacidades para hacerlo”.

Hacer un plan

WSU ofrece y anima a sus empleados y estudiantes a tomar un programa de capacitación de cuatro horas llamado CRASE, o Respuesta Civil a Eventos de Tiradores Activos. El programa, que forma parte del modelo Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training, proporciona estrategias, orientación y un “plan comprobado para sobrevivir a un evento de tirador activo”, según el Centro ALERRT, con sede en Texas.

Según la información de seguridad publicada en los sitios web de SLCC, Weber, USU y la U, cada escuela emplea sistemas de alerta de emergencia que notifican a los empleados y estudiantes en el caso de un tirador activo u otros escenarios potencialmente peligrosos. Los sistemas de alerta contactan a los usuarios a través de mensajes de texto y correo electrónico y, a excepción de SLCC, también ofre-

WSU officers remain attentive during their active shooter drill, wielding firearms.

Weber State University

Salt Lake Community College

cen una aplicación móvil complementaria.

Como se indica en sus sitios web de política de vivienda, WSU y la U permiten a los estudiantes que viven en el campus solicitar un compañero de habitación que no tenga un arma de fuego oculta. Además, estas dos escuelas, así como SLCC y USU, declararon en sus sitios web que han designado salas de audiencia que prohíben la posesión de armas de fuego.

Esto permite crear una zona segura donde se puedan escuchar las disputas sin temor a una escalada violenta.

“Hay cajas fuertes y/o cajas de seguridad fuera de cada uno de estos lugares donde las personas deben asegurar sus armas de fuego”, dijo Amanda DeRito, vicepresidenta asociada de comunicaciones estratégicas de la USU, al describir el proceso de la escuela. “Además, la USU celebra muchas audiencias de quejas a través de Zoom u otros métodos de videoconferencia como medida de seguridad adicional”.

Armas ocultas en el campus

Además del peligro inmediato cuando hay tirador en el campus, las autoridades escolares también deben lidiar con un posible aumento de personas respetuosas de la ley que portan armas de fuego ocultas.

El 15 de febrero de 2021, el gobernador Spencer Cox firmó una nueva ley que eliminó el requisito estatal de obtener un permiso para llevar un arma de fuego oculta para los residentes de Utah mayores de 21 años. Existe un permiso provisional de armas de fuego para los jóvenes de 18 a 20 años.

Según el Departamento de Seguridad Pública de Utah, una solicitud de permiso para portar armas de fuego ocultas puede ser denegada por motivos tales como una condena por un delito grave, una condena por un delito de violencia o un delito de violencia doméstica.

Aunque en Utah se ha eliminado el requisito de tener un permiso para portar armas

ocultas, las instituciones públicas de educación superior todavía exigen un permiso para portar armas ocultas y exigen permisos provisionales para los jóvenes de 18 a 20 años en el campus.

“No puedes portar un arma en el campus, a menos que esté autorizado por la legislatura”, dijo Crabtree. “Y yo les doy el Código de Utah [76-10-505.5]”.

Sin embargo, no existe ninguna ley estatal que obligue al titular de un permiso oculto a dar a conocer que tiene un permiso.

En los sitios web de la U, SLCC, USU y Weber no mencionan el requisito de que los titulares de permisos ocultos se identifiquen, pero sí se les exige que cumplan todas las leyes estatales y federales sobre políticas de armas.

Crabtree dijo que abordan la política de requisito de permiso de armas ocultas si se enteran de que alguien no tiene un permiso.

Scott Carver, subdirector de seguridad de los servicios policiales del Departamento de

Seguridad de la U, explicó que la proximidad de Salt Lake City a las vías suele traer consigo diversos problemas.

“Somos parte de Salt Lake City y, para lo bueno y para lo malo, las vías son una línea de alimentación para los problemas que surgen aquí”, dijo Carver. “Llevamos armas de fuego como medida preventiva”.

Carver dijo que la mentalidad del departamento es mantenerse optimista cuando se preparan para posibles amenazas.

“Sabes, esperamos lo mejor y nos entrenamos para lo peor”, dijo Carver. “Y al igual que cualquier otra entidad, la universidad ha tenido importantes problemas de violencia en el campus. Por lo tanto, es una realidad desafortunada para la comunidad que las armas sean necesarias para responder a los crímenes.”

Teresa Chaikowsky informó y escribió esta historia como estudiante de periodismo en Salt Lake Community College.

SLCC officers engage in a mock active shooter scene.

Trainees promptly perform essential medical procedures upon a victim being shot.

One aspect of their training involved providing medical assistance to simulated victims injured during a shooting drill.

Weber State University

Weber State University

Salt Lake Community College

By SEAN STETSON Contributor

This story is jointly published as part of the Utah College Media Collaborative, a historic cross-campus project bringing together emerging journalists from Salt Lake Community College, the University of Utah, Utah State University and Weber State University. The collaborative is an Amplify Utah project with support from PBS Utah.

There have been hundreds — 394 to be exact — of school shootings since the Columbine High massacre in 1999. College campuses have seen nine fatal mass shootings since 2007, when a gunman killed 32 people and injured 23 others at Virginia Tech. Two of those took place in 2023.

The increasingly frequent shootings have brought mixed reactions from students across four of the largest colleges in Utah, where concealed carry laws allow guns on campus,

from the classroom to the dorm room. Students from Salt Lake Community College, Weber State University, Utah State University and the University of Utah, which geographically range from the capital city to a more rural, college town, say the issue is complicated.

Amelia Cremer, a communication major at SLCC, said safety is always the most important aspect of firearms and that it shouldn’t be overlooked.

“I am not totally warm to the idea of firearms being welcomed onto school campuses, especially since school shootings are so prevalent nowadays,” Cremer said. “It doesn’t make me feel any more safe in knowing my fellow students or teachers may be carrying. It makes me feel less safe.”

Cremer said she has been around firearms her entire life, as some in her family hunt and shoot for sport. She has spent time at gun ranges and learned gun safety.

“A gun is a tool, but it’s very important to know how to use one properly when around

others,” Cremer said.

Salt Lake Community College’s concealed carry weapon policy is to enforce state law regulating weapons on campus. Firearms are prohibited on campus, including sidewalks, unless by law enforcement or exempt under Utah state laws.

Despite her training and experience with guns, Cremer said she chooses not to carry on campus and questions why anyone would.

“I don’t see the need for people to conceal-carry on campus,” Cremer said. “To those who feel unsafe enough to do so, I would say there lies the problem.”

Colleges and universities across Utah offer online information and resources about guns on campus, from frequently asked questions to how to report any incidents of seeing concealed firearms.

USU student Sofi Burggraf, a radiological technology major, said her support of the Second Amendment outweighs worries about the emotional impact of concealed carry pol-

icies. Knowing peers, faculty or staff could be legally carrying a gun makes her feel more safe and secure.

“Firearms have a place in today’s world,” Burggraf said, “If that’s what it takes to be safe, I’m willing to try it.”

The Utah State University Student Code prohibits “unauthorized possession or use of a firearm, ammunition, explosives, weapons or dangerous chemicals on University property” unless expressly permitted by law.

While Burggraf said she doesn’t currently have a concealed carry license, she hopes to one day get a permit.

“Utah can be a pretty scary place sometimes,” Burggraf said. “It makes me feel safer to know that other people are carrying just in case anything happens.”

Alex Neely, a journalism and digital media major at SLCC, grew up in a household where there were no firearms. Neely said he understands the interest in carrying a gun but also sees the risks.

Students at four of the largest colleges in Utah are shown to have mixed feelings about the presence of guns on their campuses, especially given the rising number of shootings at colleges and universities across the country in recent years.

Salt Lake Community College

“I’m not that bothered by someone on campus concealing a firearm,” Neely said. “But knowing that guns malfunction all the time, I don’t know if it is fully safe to do so.”

In 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were more than 48,000 firearm-related deaths — about 132 per day — in the United States.

Abby Madsen, an exercise science major at Weber, said she has never felt unsafe while at school, but she didn’t realize concealed carry policies allowed guns on public college campuses.

“Now that I know that firearms on campus is a possibility, it definitely makes me feel less safe,” Madsen said.

Weber’s concealed carry weapon policy notes the university “enforces state law regulating firearms on campus.”

During on-campus interviews at the four schools, some students asked to remain anonymous for fear their difference of views could cause friction with peers.

Jeff, a kinesiology major at the U and a decorated U.S. Army combat veteran, spoke openly about his concerns about guns on campus but ultimately asked to be identified only by his first name. He said he’s worried about judgment from his “super conservative, NRA card-carrying” friends.

“Knowing people are carrying makes me nervous,” Jeff said. “More likely, they could make any encounter so much worse by trying to play hero.”

The U, with the largest on-campus student population in the state, follows University Policy 1-003, which “enforces Utah state law regulating firearms on campus.”

Despite training and familiarity with all types of firearms, from pistols to machine guns, Jeff said the presence of firearms on campus causes him discomfort. He has a concealed carry permit, but he doesn’t think the certificate course qualifies the average person to safely carry a gun.

“The qualifications to carry a concealed

weapon in Utah are next to nothing,” Jeff said. “A person who takes a four-hour class and shoots a few rounds is not qualified to hold another person’s life in his hands.”

The Marshall Project reported in November 2023 that mass shootings are becoming more frequent, according to data from The Violence Project, a nonprofit research group that uses a narrow definition of mass shootings adopted from the Congressional Research Service. And, according to the nonprofit Everytown for Gun Safety, 2024 has seen at least 39 incidents of gunfire on school grounds, resulting in 14 deaths and 29 injuries nationally.

“I can’t believe that given the frequency of school shootings, that people even think it’s an option to have guns at school,” Jeff said.

Sean Stetson reported and wrote this story as a journalism student at Salt Lake Community College.

Utah college students have mixed feelings about guns on their campus.

By JAMIE FAUX Contributor

With contributions by Madeline Van Wagenen and Prabhjot Bhatia

This story is jointly published as part of the Utah College Media Collaborative, a historic cross-campus project bringing together emerging journalists from Salt Lake Community College, the University of Utah, Utah State University and Weber State University. The collaborative is an Amplify Utah project with support from PBS Utah.

murder

officer in May 2020 sparked months of Black Lives Matter protests across the U.S. and cast a national spotlight on the interactions between people of color and armed police.

Over the past four years at the University of Utah, leaders at the Black Cultural Center have worked with campus police to rebuild relationships across campus, where student welfare and safety is a top priority.

A big part of rebuilding has included questions of guns on campus, their impact on students and faculty of color and what role armed police play in psychological and

physical safety, according to former center director Meligha Garfield.

What is the impact of armed police on campus?

Garfield served as the Black Cultural Center’s director for five years and acted as a key communicator between people of color on campus and university police. Garfield stepped down from the role in March to accept a position at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

The psychological impact of armed police on both staff and students of color, Garfield said, has both pros and cons.

“The positives of having armed police come with the fact that we have a huge campus, and we need some personnel to handle the large community,” Garfield said. “But I would also say that if we have a stronger force, they need to be more in tune with the community.”

Scott Carver, the U’s deputy chief safety officer, agreed police need to consistently reflect and improve.

“Every person has a different experience depending on their previous life [experience],” Carver said. “Admittedly, persons of color may have had more interaction with

The

of George Floyd by a police

University of Utah’s Director of Public Safety Keith Squires talking about students encounters with police on campus.

The Daily Utah Chronicle

police, and thus may be very cautious about approaching them.”

To counter negative past experiences, Carver said officers are trained to watch for cues and signs and to be very helpful, clear and friendly. Signs include eye contact, willingness to engage and whether a student is open or closed off. Helping individuals feel at ease is a huge priority in the department, he said.

How are armed police on campus different from regular police?

Brian Lohrke, the U’s operations captain, said campus police often have a deeper connection to the community they protect than regular police departments.

“A lot of our team has a personal connection here to the campus,” Lohrke said. “I was a student here. I lived on campus. This is our campus aside from the jurisdictional responsibility, and I carry the responsibility to create a safe environment for students heavily on

my shoulders.”

Garfield, who arrived on the U’s campus the spring of 2019, said he’s seen the department change dramatically over the last several years.

“I definitely have pretty good experiences now,” Garfield said. “But when I first got here, we had an entirely different force of police folks. I was stopped and asked where I was headed and if I could provide an ID, even though this is an open campus and a public institution. I was in a suit, and I had to tell them that I’m actually administration.”

Lohrke acknowledged incidents like this, as well as hate crimes reported to the Racist & Bias Incident Response Team, which also launched in 2019. The process of overcoming distrust between the police and people of color, is ongoing but optimistic, he said.

How can the relationship between police and people of color improve?

In the days and weeks after George Floyd’s death, some police reform advocates questioned whether law enforcement officers should be armed with guns.

Jason Hinojosa, the U’s police administrative captain, said despite fear of firearms being used inappropriately, it is still essential for police to be armed.

“We are not immune to what happens anywhere,” Hinojosa said. “The fine line is recognizing the differences here so that we can effectively police the community in a way that’s acceptable while at the same time keeping it safe from outside forces.”

Garfield, however, said guns may not be necessary to create a sense of safety on campus.

“Providing a sense of security and safety among our students, faculty and staff doesn’t require weapons,” Garfield said. “Instead, I would suggest [officers go] back to that community relations. You can be in plain clothes,

you can be concealed, you can definitely show up and just look like any other staff person here on campus.”

Improving the relationship between police and people of color on the U’s campus is a task only possible through time and in-person connections, Garfield said. Police simply showing up at events in uniform isn’t enough; instead, Garfield would like to see officers develop individual relationships with diverse students at a personal level.

“I recommend assignments for different officers here on campus,” Garfield said. “I would love to see the officer interact, not on a daily basis but on an ongoing basis. They can pop in to check up, grab lunch and see how an individual is doing.” –

Jamie Faux, Madeline Van Wagenen and Prabhjot Bhatia reported and produced this story as journalism students at the University of Utah.

The University of Utah’s Black Cultural Center Director Meligha Garfield talking about student of color at the school.

By MAREN ARCHIBALD Contributor

With contributions from Leah Call and Caitlin Keith.

This story is jointly published as part of the Utah College Media Collaborative, a historic cross-campus project bringing together emerging journalists from Salt Lake Community College, the University of Utah, Utah State University and Weber State University. The collaborative is an Amplify Utah project with support from PBS Utah.

“There are three types of people in society: sheep, sheepdogs and wolves. Every time you leave your house unarmed and untrained, you are a sheep at the mercy of the wolves.” On a blustery Saturday in March, I heard these words in a Marriott hotel in the Salt Lake City area. Leah Call and Caitlin Keith, my colleagues from The Utah Statesman, and I were not there for vacation — or for a screening of

“American Sniper,” the film that popularized the sheep-sheepdog-wolf analogy that the instructor shared — but to take a concealed firearm permit class and better understand the legal and social environment surrounding guns in our state.

Utah law

With the passage of HB0060 in 2021, Utah allows for “constitutional carry,” which means concealed carrying of a handgun, loaded or unloaded, does not require a permit.

“As long as you are at least 21 years of age or older, and you can legally possess firearms, you can carry it fully loaded,” Jason Chapman, a concealed firearms permit supervisor at the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification, said.

Although not required, a permit does come with benefits. Valid for five years after issue, it allows a buyer to forgo the $7.50 F.B.I. background check that accompanies every firearm purchase. It also authorizes gun owners to carry concealed in the 30 other states that

recognize Utah permits. Provisional permits, which allow those aged 18-20 to conceal carry before they are 21, are also available.

Taking the class

The class had just over 20 people in attendance — several who looked college-age, plus some middle-aged and older adults. Though there were a few people who raised their hands and asked questions, the majority of the class was like a lecture.

Our instructor, Ben, introduced himself as a Marine and Army veteran who now works in digital security. He started the class by emphasizing four safety rules. First, he said, treat all firearms as if they are loaded. Second, never point your gun at anything you aren’t willing to destroy. Third, keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on target. Fourth, be sure of your target and its environment.

Ben said when most people think of a situation that would involve a gun, they only think of one “battle.” In reality, he said, there

are three battles: the violent encounter; the legal proceedings, both civil and criminal; and the mental and emotional toll. A significant portion of the class was dedicated to the legal side, discussing the laws surrounding gun ownership, usage and consequences according to Utah code.

Ben also reviewed how to clean a gun and the various holster options to conceal a handgun on your body. He recommended that anyone carrying concealed also have a tourniquet handy.

“Big old bag of juice here. It runs out of juice, game over,” Ben said, gesturing to his body. “If you’re going to carry a gun, carry the life-saving stuff, too.”

Ben said the primary causes of firearm-related incidents are ignorance, complacency and carelessness, and he commended everyone in attendance for taking the initiative to get a permit.

“In this game, what you don’t know can kill you,” Ben said.

A man walks away with a concealed handgun on his belt.

According to the Bureau of Criminal Investigation, concealed firearm permit holders are responsible for learning safe handgun practices. They should have practical knowledge of the laws that govern firearms and should understand their personal abilities and limitations.

The minimum training curriculum, which all instructors must teach, is meant to provide “general familiarity,” which includes safe loading, unloading, storage and carrying of concealed firearms. It also asks that permit holders understand laws defining self-defense and use of deadly force, transportation and concealment.

While the bureau supports permit instructors including additional firearms training, like live-fire exercises, it is not required. There was no individual instruction in our class, even with the plastic gun replicas. Ben did go over how to shoot, briefly discussing hand grip, stance, sight alignment and breath control, but it was demonstrative, not hands-

on, and proportional to the rest of the content in the four-hour class, it was minimal.

Political environment

The class was rife with political commentary by the instructor. Phrases like “That’s Biden money, not real money,” and “BLM or those terrorist rioters, whoever,” were spoken as if Ben automatically assumed everyone in attendance agreed with him.

Sgt. Brady Zaugg, an investigator with the bureau, said instructors are required to cover the content in the minimum training curriculum, but as to political commentary, there are no guidelines.

“We make absolutely no mention of it,” Zaugg said. “Obviously, students do ask some of these questions, and we try to remain as neutral and impartial as possible. We make no endorsement of any kind of political party, political platform or anything like that.”

Zaugg said although instructors are licensed by the bureau, they are not employees

of the state and can speak as private entities.

“We don’t specifically discourage them and say, ‘You cannot discuss certain political practices,’” Zaugg said. “If they fail to cover the minimum training curriculum, whilst they’re endorsing bad ideas, we can absolutely take action on their permit, but they are not employed by the state.”

If attendees of a class have concerns about its content or instruction, they can contact the bureau, which may choose to send someone to monitor the class.

“If we encounter bad curriculum, bad instruction, even if they cover most of the criteria — if they’re way off, then we will take corrective action as necessary, whether it’s guidance or suspension or revocation,” Zaugg said.

Ben was knowledgeable, engaging and open to questions. But he had clear partisan opinions, which my colleagues and I felt overshadowed some of the course content.

After four hours of instruction, we left more

familiar with guns, holsters and Utah code, and were provided with paperwork so we could send in our permit applications immediately. However, none of us felt nearly educated enough to purchase or operate a firearm.

Ben did discuss the value in going to a gun range and trying out different models to find one that fits right, as well as practicing using a gun, but it was apparent that someone with enough confidence could acquire both a firearm and a permit without ever having to prove that they knew how to operate it safely.

Ben didn’t seem concerned about this. When we asked him if there were any barriers to his daughter carrying on campus at Utah State this upcoming fall, he shook his head no and responded proudly.

Maren Archibald, Leah Call and Caitlin Keith reported and produced this story as journalism students at Utah State University.

Unloaded handguns and plastic handgun replicas used at a concealed carry permit class helped demonstrate proper grip, technique and cleaning.

Caitlin Keith

By LEAH CALL Contributor

This story is jointly published as part of the Utah College Media Collaborative, a historic cross-campus project bringing together emerging journalists from Salt Lake Community College, the University of Utah, Utah State University and Weber State University. The collaborative is an Amplify Utah project with support from PBS Utah.

In the event of an active shooter, aggressor or emergency on campus, colleges and universities typically have a plan on how to communicate with students, faculty, staff and the community.

At Utah State University, this plan is Ag-

gie Alert. Campus police use the system to disseminate information as quickly as possible through email and SMS text message. Alerts are only sent by authorized officers at the USU Police Department, said police Chief Jason Brei.

Emergency alerts, he said, can be sent out as quickly as someone can get from a dispatch call to a computer.

Three types of alerts can be sent through the system — emergency notifications, crime alerts and safety alerts. Public safety officials, Brei said, use a decision matrix to determine which alert will be sent depending on the situation.

Brei said one of the most important elements of an Aggie Alert is a call to action. Each

message will end with a line of direction, like “avoid the area” or “remain in place.”

Emergency notifications, for example, are used when the health and safety of the campus community is immediately threatened by a situation like a gas leak, an active shooter, or a dangerous weather event. Crime alerts, also called timely warnings, are used for serious threats arising from criminal activity. Safety alerts are used for situations that require attention, but are less threatening. This includes events like power outages and university closures because of weather or an infectious disease.

“With staffing it can be challenging, because we send that [alert] out and now you have mom or CNN calling from the East Coast

like ‘What’s going on?’, so you get bombarded,” Brei said. “We try to make the messages as distinct and direct as possible.”

When the danger or event has been contained or otherwise managed, an all-clear message is sent out.

The University of Utah, Salt Lake Community College and Weber State University have similar systems in place.

Brei said campus police use the contact information students have on file with the university to send out Aggie Alerts, but students can opt-out anytime. Family or community members who wish to receive the alerts can also opt-in.

Brei stressed that if someone sees anything of concern while on campus, they should call

A cell graphic shows an active shooter alert on a phone with a gun in the background.

it in to the police. If someone calls for an Aggie Alert to be sent, officials will assess the situation and decide whether or not it warrants a response..

“If they’re talking about a person of color, or there are some things like, ‘OK, that’s not suspicious,’” he said. “When in doubt, we will send an officer to go check that out. We try to have that relationship and have that communication: see something, say something. If it doesn’t feel right, please let us know; we will come and take a look at it.”

When responding to an Aggie Alert, Brei said campus police adhere to the national standard and follow the ALERRT training model, or Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training. Brei added that the university has also implemented preventative measures to ensure the safety of attendees at large university events. Police will try to counter threats by interacting with the community, he said, and keeping a consistent presence on campus. “At sporting events or at large venues we have staffing plans,” Brei said. “And we have incident command systems established so that we could have officers and specific areas for visual deterrence.”

Brad Hansen, left, and Shane Nebeker stand in front of a USU police car.

Heidi Bingham

By MEGAN SWANN Section Editor

A new film festival is rolling into Ogden on April 6, and this one is solely created by Weber State University students.

Weber’s Advisory Team for Innovative Film Production will be hosting its first-ever WATIF International Film Festival at the Ziegfeld Theater at 3934 S Washington Blvd. in Ogden.

There are two components of WATIF: a student board and a practicum course that students can register and receive three upper division credits for.

From this student board, WATIF co-presidents Zander Cooper and Paige Aardema have worked to create this festival for about a year.

“The film studies program at Weber is pretty new,” Aardema said. “It’s been around for only a handful of years. And so we really wanted to get our staple at Weber State and we thought the best way would be a film festival.”

March 25 was the submission deadline for the festival, which accepted films not only from Weber State students but from around the world.

Cooper said films from Germany, England and France were submitted to the festival, as well as films from across the U.S.

They’ve received over 20 short films, and the WATIF student board met to adjudicate and decide which films will be shown at the festival.

A big goal for the festival was to make it affordable and accessible for up-and-coming filmmakers.

Cooper said he’s participated in film festivals before that have steep entry fees on top of expensive festival tickets.

Submission fees were $5, and tickets to the festival are $5 as well. Cooper said all of these funds will go back into WATIF to help students pay for equipment, props or whatever else is needed for their short films.

Ash Soltani Stone, the advisor for WATIF, said that unlike other practicum courses, the

WATIF class does not have one centralized project. Instead, it is made up of a few different groups of student filmmakers working on multiple projects. The funding received will support these works.

“We put a big emphasis on wanting to make the films that other students want to make,” Cooper said. “Any student from any major can come and essentially pitch a film idea to us.”

One film in the festival coming from a Weber student is “Misery Loves Company,” from writer and director Dusty Bessire. Describing the short film as zany and emotional, Bessire said this film is inspired by the idea that if a person numbs pain, they won’t experience joy.

“I really can’t stress enough the importance that this is a great opportunity to start building a community for student filmmakers,” Bessire said. “We hope folks will come support it.”

WATIF posted on Instagram doors to the festival will open on April 6 at 6 p.m., and

films will start screening around 6:45 p.m. Their Instagram bio includes a link to buy tickets to the festival.

The festival will be divided into two halves, with family friendly shorts and R-rated shorts being split by an intermission.

Cooper, who will graduate this spring, wanted to lay as much groundwork for this festival as possible so that it will likely continue next year. Aardema will be taking over in the fall as president, and she hopes to have another successful year.

“We’ve really put our heart and soul into this,” Aardema said. “One thing that you’ll learn about the film studies degree is that there is no lack of passion throughout the entire program. Everybody I’ve met, everybody I talk to in the film program is beyond passionate and is just so ready to show their art and to make incredible films and incredible stories.”

Emma Hurst in a still from the short film “Cleo,” which was submitted to the festival.

Zander Cooper

POR MARIA MANTILLA Traductor

POR MEGAN SWANN Editor de Sección

Un nuevo festival de cine llegará a Ogden el 6 de abril, creado exclusivamente por estudiantes de la Universidad Weber State.

El Equipo Asesor para la Producción Cinematográfica Innovadora de Weber celebrará su primer Festival Internacional de Cine WATIF en el Teatro Ziegfeld, en el 3934 S Washington Blvd. de Ogden.

WATIF tiene dos componentes: una junta de estudiantes y un curso práctico en el que los estudiantes pueden matricularse y recibir tres créditos de la división superior.

Desde esta junta de estudiantes, los copresidentes de WATIF, Zander Cooper y Paige Aardema, han trabajado para crear este festival durante aproximadamente un año.

“El programa de estudios de cine en Weber es bastante nuevo”, dijo Aardema. “Sólo existe desde hace unos pocos años. Así que queríamos que Weber State se uniera a nosotros y pensamos que la mejor manera

sería un festival de cine”.

El plazo de inscripción para el festival finalizó el 25 de marzo y en él se aceptaron películas no sólo de estudiantes de Weber State, sino de todo el mundo.

Cooper explicó que se presentaron al festival películas de Alemania, Inglaterra y Francia, así como de todo Estados Unidos.

Han recibido más de 20 cortometrajes, y la junta de estudiantes de WATIF se reunió para adjudicar y decidir qué películas se mostrarán en el festival.

Uno de los grandes objetivos del festival era hacerlo económicamente asequible y accesible para los cineastas emergentes.

Cooper afirma que ya ha participado en otros festivales de cine en los que, además de las entradas, había que pagar unos elevados precios de inscripción.

Los derechos de inscripción eran de 5 dólares, y las entradas al festival también costarán 5 dólares. Cooper dijo que todos estos fondos volverán a WATIF para ayudar a los estudiantes a pagar por el equipo, accesorios o cualquier otra cosa que se necesita para sus cortometrajes.

Ash Soltani Stone, asesor de WATIF, dijo que a diferencia de otros cursos de prácticas, la clase WATIF no tiene un proyecto centralizado. En su lugar, se compone de algunos grupos diferentes de estudiantes cineastas que trabajan en múltiples proyectos. La financiación recibida servirá para apoyar estos trabajos.

“Hacemos mucho énfasis en querer hacer las películas que otros estudiantes quieren hacer”, dijo Cooper. “Cualquier estudiante de cualquier especialidad puede venir y esencialmente lanzarnos una idea cinematográfica”.

Una película en el festival procedente de un estudiante de Weber es “La Miseria Ama la Compañía”, del escritor y director Dusty Bessire. Describiendo el cortometraje como alocado y emocional, Bessire dijo que esta película se inspira en la idea de que si una persona adormece el dolor, no experimentará alegría.

“No puedo dejar de recalcar la importancia de que ésta sea una gran oportunidad para empezar a crear una comunidad de estudiantes de cine”, dijo Bessire. “Esperamos

que la gente venga a apoyarlo”. WATIF publicó en Instagram que las puertas del festival se abrirán el 6 de abril a las 6 p.m., y las películas comenzarán a proyectarse alrededor de las 6:45 p.m. Su biografía en Instagram incluye un enlace para comprar entradas para el festival.

El festival se dividirá en dos mitades, con cortos aptos para toda la familia y cortos con calificación R divididos por un intermedio.

Cooper, que se graduará esta primavera, quería establecer las bases de este festival lo mejor posible para que pueda continuar el año que viene. Aardema tomará el cargo de presidencia en otoño y espera tener otro año de éxito.

“Nos hemos entregado en cuerpo y alma”, afirma Aardema. “Una cosa que se aprende de la carrera de cine es que no hay falta de pasión en todo el programa. Todo el mundo que he conocido, todos con los que hablo en el programa de cine son más que apasionados y están tan dispuestos a mostrar su arte y hacer películas increíbles e historias increíbles.”

Students on the set of a short film.

Zander Cooper

By COLLYN COWLES Section Editor

On March 28 it was Opening Day in Major League Baseball, a day that always carries a special aura, signaling the beginning of a new chapter filled with hope, excitement and endless possibilities. And true to its reputation, the opening games of the 2024 MLB season delivered a thrilling spectacle that left fans breathless and eager for more.

From historic offensive explosions to nail-biting comebacks, the season opener showcased it all. One of the standout moments came courtesy of the Arizona Diamondbacks, who unleashed a relentless onslaught against the Colorado Rockies. In a single inning, the D-backs etched their names into the annals of baseball history, scoring a staggering 14 runs — the most ever

recorded in a single inning on Opening Day in the Modern Era. Arizona’s offensive barrage showcased the explosive potential of this season’s lineup.

Meanwhile, in a showdown between perennial contenders, the New York Yankees staged a remarkable comeback against the Houston Astros. Despite an early deficit, the Yankees rallied behind their resilience and determination, clawing their way back to secure a thrilling 5–4 victory.

Juan Soto, making his highly anticipated debut in the Yankee pinstripes, delivered a clutch RBI single and showcased his defensive skill with a game-saving throw to home plate in the ninth inning, sealing the Yankees’ largest Opening Day comeback win since 1950.

The excitement wasn’t confined to the diamond, as narratives unfolded and storylines

emerged across the league. Tyler O’Neill, now donning the Boston Red Sox uniform after an offseason trade, continued his Opening Day tradition with a historic home run, extending his streak to five consecutive seasons with a dinger on Opening Day.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ star-studded trio of Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman made a memorable home debut, combining forces to power their team to victory with a display of offensive dominance.

But Opening Day wasn’t just about the established stars; it was also a stage for emerging talents to shine. Corbin Burnes dazzled in his debut for the Baltimore Orioles, showcasing his dominant stuff with 11 strikeouts over six innings of one-hit ball.

Journeyman outfielder Nick Martini became an unlikely hero for the Cincinnati

Reds, blasting two home runs to propel his team to victory and etching his name alongside franchise legends in the process. Shane Bieber started off the season for the Cleveland Guardians on the mound with a dominant 11 strikeouts and a 8–0 win over the Oakland Athletics.

As the dust settled on the first day of the season, one thing became abundantly clear — baseball is back, and it’s as thrilling and unpredictable as ever.

With 30 teams vying for glory and countless storylines yet to unfold, the stage is set for another unforgettable journey through America’s pastime. So buckle up, baseball fans, because if Opening Day is any indication, we’re in for one wild ride.

DO YOU KNOW YOUR NEWS?

QUIZ ANSWERS FROM PAGE 2 2. 1. 3. 4.

The answer is B, Sen. Mike Lee. According to KSL, several republicans posted in opposition to Transgender Day of Visibility. Lee also reposted an image of Biden’s positive proclamation with the caption “Squatting rights ... on Christianity’s most sacred day.”

The answer is A, Willard Bay. According to KSL, the Box Elder County Sheriff’s Office was notified of human bones on the northwest side of Willard Bay. The Utah State Medical Examiner’s have the remains and are investigating the identity.

The answer C, Continue to manage the Utah Jazz after recovery. According to Deseret News, Justin Zanik, the general manager of the Utah Jazz, will recover from his kidney transplant in just a few weeks. “Zanik has no intention of stepping away from his role as general manager for the Utah Jazz for longer than necessary,” the Deseret News reported.

THE SIGNPOST TEAM

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

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

Culture Editor Lexie Andrew lexieandrew@mail.weber.edu

The answer B, Measles. According to KSL, Utah health officials encouraged Utahns to get immunized against Measles after cases have been reported in 17 other states.

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

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 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