Monday | January 14, 2019 | Volume 89 | Issue 39
’CATS FALL TO BENGALS FOR NINTH STRAIGHT LOSS NEWS » PAGE 3
JEEPERS CREEPERS: WSUPD ARRESTS CAMPUS PEEPER
S&T » PAGE 14
EASIER ROADS AHEAD FOR WSU STUDENTS
Sara Parker
2 | MyWeberMedia.com | January 14, 2019
WSU AND OGDEN EVENTS THE JAMES FOLEY STORY By ALYSON JOHNSON Desk Editor
As a freelance conflict journalist, James Foley reported in multiple countries including Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and eventually Syria. In 2012, Foley was kidnapped in northern Syria and later killed in 2014. Weber State is showing a screening of the documentary depicting his life and legacy. The screening with show on Jan. 14 at 5:30 p.m. in the Shepherd Union Wildcat Theater.
MLK FREEDOM BREAKFAST AND MARCH To begin the week full of events in remembrance of Martin Luther King Jr., a Freedom Breakfast Monday morning will be held at the Marshal White Center in Ogden from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Following the breakfast, there will be a march to the Ogden Amphitheater from 11a.m. to 12:15 p.m. A community project will be held at the Marshall White Center at 12:30 p.m. to create artwork and discuss Dr. King’s dream and vision for the Black
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A MATTER OF FACT Weber State’s Engaged Learning Series held on Jan. 16 will explore why facts matter, and how to decipher between truth and opinion. This series will be held at the Weber County Library in Ogden and will explain why libraries are critical for information gathering. The event will be presented in both English and Spanish and will begin at 6:30 p.m.
ABC News
DELIBERATELY PROVOKING PRODUCTIVE DEBATE The Center for Community Engaged LearningEngaged Learning Series and the Department of Political Science is hosting an event to discuss political and ideological differences. Colleagues from Keene State University will disclose the results of and ideology survey among students, faculty and staff. The event will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 15 from 10:30 a.m. to noon in Shepherd Union room 320.
Weber State University
CAREER FAIR
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Institute of Religion at Weber State University - Ogden Campus
Presents:
Jeff Chadwick
BYU Jerusalem Center Professor of Ancient Scripture and Near Eastern Studies
“Master, Where Dwellest Thou?...
Come and See!”
Wednesday Devotional January 16, 2019 12:30 - 1:15pm
The majority of undergraduate degrees at Weber State require an internship to sign-off for graduation. The Career Fair at Weber State is a great opportunity for students to meet and network with hundreds of organizations looking for talented and educated graduates for full-time careers and student internships. The Career Fair will be held in the Ballrooms of the Shepherd Union Building from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
CAREER AND INTERNSHIP Make the Connection
PROFESSIONAL ATTIRE and RESUMES are highly encouraged MCT
WEDN
JAN 10 a.m
SHEPHERD UN
By JENNIFER GREENLEE Desk Editor
Damage was done to one of the articulated dinosaur skeletons in Lind Lecture Hall’s museum and the wall around it. In addition to the damage and vandalism, there have been reports of one or more people spitting into the penny drop. Regarding the spitting, it is suspected that the NUAMES students are responsible, as their classes are on the upper floors, making it easy for the students to spit from there. The NUAMES School Resource Officer kept the building locked during the day until college classes resumed on Jan. 7 to keep vandals out. The principal of NUAMES was also notified about the damages.
Three suspected drug violations were called into the Police Department between Jan. 3 and Jan. 6. On Jan. 3, a resident at Wildcat Village called in that they could smell marijuana. When the officers arrived, they were let into the room that had been reported by the resident. The officers on scene could not smell anything in the hallway or in the room. The resident of the room said he had not been smoking anything, and there was no visual evidence that he had been. Also on Jan. 3, the housing staff at Wildcat Village called in a drug violation in progress. When the officers arrived on the scene, they could smell marijuana. When the tenant’s boyfriend answered the door, there was evidence that he may have been in an altered state. The officers were allowed in and asked if
anyone had been smoking anything. When asked, the tenant’s boyfriend confirmed he had and turned over the marijuana to the officers upon request. He was given a warning and informed that there may be repercussions from the administration. At University Village, housing contacted the police about a drug violation. The officers responded to the call and could smell marijuana. The officers were let into the room. One of the residents admitted to having some in his possession. The officers requested that he turn over what he had. The resident retrieved a mason jar that had some marijuana in it. Because it was his first offense, the officers let him off with a warning and warned him of the possible repercussions for his actions.
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SEX OFFENDER
CAUGHT ON CAMPUS By JENNIFER GREENLEE Desk Editor
Weber State University student Anthony Ray Sunford has been charged with allegedly entering women’s bathrooms at WSU with his cellphone in hand. He is a registered sex offender. Sunford was charged with four counts of voyeurism on Dec. 31, 2018. According to the Utah Sex Offender Registry, Sunford was convicted of attempted rape on April 15, 2005, while he was serving in the military. Five years later, Sunford entered RAA enterprises on Nov. 29, 2010, and attempted to rape the employee working. He was also charged with burglary and failing to register as a sex offender in Yuba City, California. During this incident, Sunford has been accused of entering the Wildcat Center for Health Education and
Wellness on Dec. 13, 2018. The surveillance footage from Dec. 13 shows that Sunford entered the women’s bathroom for over two minutes. On Dec. 18, Sunford again entered the bathroom, this time for 17 minutes. WSU police began investigating and obtained Sunford’s name by checking records of who had checked into the gym. The counts he was charged with only took place at the Health Center at WSU. Allison Barlow Hess confirmed to KSL that Sunford was a part-time student at the university who had enrolled in the fall. Since he was no longer on parole, he had no restrictions about where he could go on campus or with whom he could associate. Hess confirmed Sunford has been banned from campus.
Weber State University Comment on this story at signpost.mywebermedia.com The alleged perpetrator was captured on security footage in Swenson Gym.
NOT YOUR TYPICAL BINGO NIGHT 4 | MyWeberMedia.com | January 14, 2019
MARISSA WOLFORD | The Signpost
By KIERSTYNN KING
iHome, Hydro-flasks, sweatshirts, headphones and even a sock monkey. As the night progressed, the games continued to To welcome in a new semester at Weber State grow more intense and competitive. Those particiUniversity, students competed for limited prizes at pating seemed to have a great time, all thanks to the campus’ bingo night on Jan 9. activities team member Wyatt Walk. The game of bingo has been around for hunAlthough Walk enjoyed planning and organizing dreds of years. But that does not mean it’s reserved the event, his favorite part of the for older generations. night was interacting with the auWeber State’s bingo night was dience. hosted by WSUSA’s Activities Team as “Every time I shouted out a numa back-to-school night providing stuber that was like ‘B4’ one of my dents with an opportunity to hang out friends would yell out ‘B4 what?’ and meet new people at the school. as a joke. Everyone put up with my “We didn’t want to do something jokes for over two hours, so it was crazy for the third night back to school. great that people were bantering It was something we thought of as a back and forth,” Walk said. VICTORIA RAZO group. It was easy to put together and Weber State student Victoria WSU Student to promote on social media,” said Sara Razo saw advertising for the event Triplett, coordinator of student prothrough Weber’s Snapchat account grams at Weber State. and decided to attend specifically for rounds of binAlthough bingo is typically portrayed as a relaxed, go, among other things. slow-paced game played in elementary schools “You can’t go wrong with wholesome university or nursing homes, Weber State added some flare fun. Plus they have snacks, so they know what’s up,” and excitement by including various prizes for the Razo said. winners. Triplett believes that deep down, everyone There are currently no plans to host another binhas a bit of a competitive streak. go night, but because of the turnout and participa“People love to win free items, even if it’s just a tion, Walk would love to host another night soon. pen. People get the gratification of winning something,” Triplett said. Comment on this story at The prizes handed out ranged from Beats, an signpost.mywebermedia.com Reporter
“...THEY HAVE SNACKS, SO THEY KNOW WHAT’S UP.”
THE MULE
AQUAMAN
ESCAPE ROOM
WILDCATS ADD FIVE
MyWeberMedia.com| January 14, 2019 | 5
ON EARLY SIGNING DAY By BRANDON MAY Desk Editor
The Weber State University football team signed five student athletes, two transfers and three high school signees during the National Letter of Intent early signing period on Dec. 22, 2018. The Wildcats added Desmond Williams, Daniel Wright Jr., Maxwell Anderson, Justin Haase and Jacob Sharp for the upcoming 2019 football season. Williams transferred in from Boise State University where he played three seasons for the Broncos as a safety. Williams is originally from Corona, California, and will be a redshirt junior for Weber State.
He played in 13 games for the Broncos last year with 28 tackles. Williams was a three-star recruit out of Centennial High School who led the second ranked Huskies to multiple CIF and State appearances. Wright Jr. is transferring to Weber State from American River College where he played two years as the Beavers running back. Wright Jr. rushed for 633 yards and four touchdowns last year as a sophomore. Anderson will enter his freshman year as a cornerback for the Wildcats out of Hayward, California. He prepped at Moreau Catholic High School and had four interceptions during his senior season.
Haase is an athlete out of Puyallup, Washington, who played several positions for Puyallup High School. He finished his senior season with 55 receptions for 1,065 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior for the Vikings. Sharp will enter his freshman year as a Wildcat after playing high school football for Bethel High School in Vallejo, California. He too played multiple positions for the Jaguars, including quarterback, defensive back and kick returner. Head coach Jay Hill is expecting to add 10–15 players in this year’s recruiting class and is also expected to add a handful of returned missionaries to the team. Many of the other Big Sky Conference
football teams added new recruits to their roster. Montana signed 21 players , Montana State added 17 and Idaho 13. Weber State has showed patience when recruiting athletes during the last few years and has added most of their signees on National Signing day in February. Hill and his staff signed players who they felt they couldn't miss in the early signing period. Now they are waiting for the remainder of the incoming class on National Signing Day on Feb. 6. Comment on this story at signpost.mywebermedia.com
37th Annual
CRYSTAL CREST AWARDS
ACT NOW SHINE THE SPOTLIGHT
on a friend, peer, faculty, or staff who you want to recognize for amazing leadership and contributions to the university.
TO NOMINATE
Weber.edu/crystalcrest Deadline: Feb. 6
INFORMATION NEEDED
• Name of the nominee • Current email of the nominee • Why you are nominating this person Talent of the Year • Man of the Year Woman of the Year • Wildcat Achievement Excellence in Inclusivity • Master Teacher Registered Organization • Friend of Students Scholar of the Year • Volunteer Service
6 | MyWeberMedia.com | January 14, 2019
Photo: Chris Morgan
MyWeberMedia.com | January 14, 2019 | 7
THE $595 COLLEGE SEASON PASS IS BACK. Visit store.powdermountain.com to purchase.
MyWeberMedia.com| January 14, 2019 | 9
8 | MyWeberMedia.com| January 14, 2019
By RAYMOND LUCAS
Reporter
The Weber State University women’s basketball team played their first home game of 2019 on Jan. 10 as they battled the Bengals from Idaho State University. The contest marked the first time the two teams faced off since the 2018 Big Sky Conference Tournament in Reno. In that affair, WSU fell 113–109 in overtime after a 25-point comeback by the Bengals. This game ultimately had the same outcome after an entirely different narrative. Weber State fell behind by 21 points in the third quarter and battled back to cut the deficit to six but ultimately fell short by a final score of 70–57 at the Dee Events Center. With the defeat, the Wildcats’ losing streak now stands at nine games, the longest in five seasons. “We’re putting together three good quarters,” WSU head coach Velaida Harris said. “Can we put together three and a third and keep ourselves in a game by halftime? We do great in the second half; it’s that second quarter that gets us in trouble.” The Wildcats matched the Bengals basket for basket in the opening quarter. After ten minutes, the scoreboard read 18–18.
MADISON OSBORN | The Signpost
However, Idaho State surpassed WSU in the second quarter. The Bengals scored 25 points while shooting 59 percent from the field, taking a 43–30 lead going into intermission. Weber State senior guard Emily Drake led her team in points with 22, including 14 in the first half. She said she had extra motivation heading into the matchup. “I think going in, Jai and I had a chip on our shoulders about the game in Reno,” Drake said. “We wanted to get a win.” The third quarter couldn’t have started worse for the Wildcats as ISU scored the first eight points, holding WSU scoreless for 4:14. In response to Idaho State’s scoring explosion, Harris called timeout and decided to bring a full court press. The defensive adjustment sparked a WSU run to cut the deficit to 13 points as the third quarter neared its end. Drake and senior guard J’aiamoni Welch-Coleman kicked off a scoring run with consecutive layups. “It (the press) helps us because we’re better when we play faster,” Harris said. “We knew Idaho State was just as tired as we were. We just had to press and make them take tough shots while their legs were tired and capitalize on the other end.” The Wildcats continued to claw their way back as the fourth quarter got
underway. The full-court press forced the Bengals into seven straight unproductive possessions, including three turnovers. Meanwhile, WSU’s offense was suddenly a force to be reckoned with. Junior guard Dominique Williams made a three-pointer and then connected on a layup to cut the deficit to ten points. “We got down by 20, but in no way was the game over,” Drake said. “We wanted to show the young girls not to give up and that comebacks can happen, just like Idaho State did to us last year. We had the idea that we were underdogs and badly needed a win.” Williams’ run was followed by field goals by freshman forward Ciara James and Drake. The deficit was 57–51 with 6:30 to play, but that is as close as the Wildcats would get. Weber State went on an extended drought from the field, not scoring again until there was 2:48 remaining in the contest. By then, Idaho State had widened its lead back to double-digits. The Bengals were able to escape Ogden with a 70–57 victory. The ‘Cats dropped to 0–5 in conference play. Despite the losing streak, Drake said the Wildcats should not be counted out. “This year comes with a lot of changes,” Drake said. “You will win games if you work hard. It’s not like we are
being blown out. We are right in every game.” Of the 16 players that appeared in the contest last March in Reno, nine took the court in the rematch. Junior guard Estefania Ors and senior guard Saylair Grandon led the Bengals with 23 and 18 points, respectively. With the contest against Idaho State in the books, Harris looked ahead to the upcoming matchup with Portland State University, her alma mater. “I like playing them and so do a couple of our players,” Harris said with a smile. “I went to Portland State, so I want to beat them.” Harris played for the Vikings from 1989-93. She assumed the lead role at Weber State in July following the departure of longtime coach Bethann Ord and inherited a team that included four newcomers. Drake said she thinks Harris is doing an admirable job as a leader. “I think Coach Harris is doing a great job of keeping us positive,” Drake said. “In practice, she makes sure everyone is working as a team and pushing each other to get better. Even though we’ve lost nine straight, I think we’ve been playing more as a team on the court. That’s all you want in a young group.” Comment on this story at signpost.mywebermedia.com
Emily Drake WSU Senior Guard
10 | MyWeberMedia.com| January 14, 2019
START RAISING THE BAR.
A SAFE CHARGING
STATION FOR
STUDENTS By ASHLYND GREENWOOD Reporter
Army Officers inspire strength in others. Make Army ROTC part of your college experience and be eligible for a full-tuition scholarship. Join the team that makes a difference.
To get more information about Army ROTC, call the Weber State Army ROTC program at 801-626-8609, email arotc@weber.edu, or visit goarmy.com/rotc/oe36 today!
©2018. Paid for by the United States Army. All rights reserved.
Over Christmas break, Santa gave students at Weber State University the gift of new phone charging lockers on campus. Located at the Wildcard Services and Information Desk in the Shepherd Union atrium, the charging station provides a safe, free way for students to power their phones during class. “It seems like a useful thing to have on campus, considering it’s a safe and secure place to leave your phone,” freshman Kennedy Zwemke said. “If you did encounter a situation where you needed your phone to be safe, it is a reliable option.” The desk has tried to accommodate all devices by providing six charging bases, three with a USB-C and three with micro USB chargers. Each box also has an iPhone and an Android charger. Despite the station’s amenities, many students may not feel comfortable abandoning their phones in a public area, as there have been issues with phones getting stolen on campus in the past. “At the lost and found on campus, a lot of phones get turned in,” manager of the Wildcard Services and Information Desk Danna Peterson said. “Students say they were just charging their phones when they come to claim them.” However, the charging station is equipped with features that protect student property. Rather than leav-
ing their phones out in the open, students can select a locker, set their personal lock code and rest assured that their devices are in good hands. “It’s comforting to know that no one can get into the lockers. You could plug your phone in, go take a test and come back to a fully charged phone,” student Jodie Schumacher said. Because the lockers were installed over the break, news of their existence is still circulating around campus. The information desk is part of Student Affairs and their main goal is to get the word out about what services are provided to students at Weber. “The goal with the new charging stations is to find different ways to expand services and attempt to bring new resources that will be helpful for all students,” Peterson said. In the current age of technology, Peterson believes that these phone chargers will be beneficial to the school, as they may encourage students to detach from electronics and engage in communication with others. She also alluded to the potential for more charging stations to pop up around campus in the future, some with the ability to even power iPads and Tablets. The charging lockers are free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Wildcard Services and Information Center at 801-626-6000. Comment on this story at signpost.mywebermedia.com
MyWeberMedia.com | January 14, 2019 | 11
WSU SENATE SCANDAL
By HANNAH OLSEN Reporter
Despite some of the rumors fluttering around Weber State University, there is much less drama between senators of the Weber State University Student Association than there has may have seemed. Recently, there has been talk of the removal of senators for various reasons, but all of the information was false. Student Body President Jordan Slater and Senate President Minsum Choi both debunked what had been said about the senators. “First of all, no senator was deported,” Choi said. “It’s been dramatized a bit. It’s like a sitcom.” The correct information is, despite some scheduling and registration conflict, that International Student Senator Chukwuebuka Odu was able to register as a full-time student and will remain in his role as senator.
“He wasn’t registered, which is why we started talking about ‘oh, are we going to have to drop him?’” said Choi. David Brog, graduate students senator, decided to step down from his position because of scheduling conflicts with work and school, which left him without enough time for mandatory senate meetings. Brog will be replaced rapidly to ensure graduate students are still fully represented. “He willingly resigned because of conflict of work,” said Choi. The replacement process for Senators is a lengthy process to ensure the upmost professionalism and to maintain fairness in the appointment process. Usually, prospective senators may apply to be considered. But, because it is the middle of the year, the replacement for Brog will be selected from either an older pool of candidates who were not
previously chosen for this year, or by referral from current senators, advisers or professors, according to Choi. “Then they have to fill out the eligibility form and turn it in to Miss Susie after it is signed by the Senate Adviser,” said Choi. Students who would like to be senators must maintain a 2.5 GPA as a full-time student and represent their constituents under the program they are representing. For example, the replacement for Brog has to be a full-time, 2.5 GPA holding graduate student. It is possible to get an exception to the representation rule if the individual has ample recommendations from other advisers or professors that say he or she would do well in representing the group that doesn’t include them, as well as a petition. “I will talk to the senate adviser and see if they have anyone in mind to fulfill that role,” Choi said.
CAREER AND INTERNSHIP Make the Connection
PROFESSIONAL ATTIRE and RESUMES are highly encouraged
After possible replacements are pooled, they will be individually interviewed by Choi, as well as introduced to and interviewed by the rest of the senate. Then, they come into a second senate meeting. This is more formal and includes interview questions, such as asking if they know the WSU Constitution and Bylaws and what their position implies. “And then the Senators can ask them questions as well,” Choi said. After that process, the collective senate votes on a secret ballot. Whoever wins majority, two-thirds, will get confirmed by the adviser and Choi to check eligibility and grades. If the same consensus is reached, the individual will be offered the position as senator. Choi already has a few referrals and hopes this decision and confirmation will be made quickly. Comment on this story at signpost.mywebermedia.com
WEDNESDAY
JAN. 30 10 a.m.-2 p.m. SHEPHERD UNION BALLROOMS
Please contact Career Services at 801-626-6393 or careerservices@ weber.edu by Jan. 23 for accommodations in relation to a disability.
‘CATS LOOK FURTHER AHEAD IN BIG SKY PLAY
By JOE TRAUB Desk Editor
Despite a difficult loss to Southern Utah University, the Weber State University men’s basketball team is keeping their heads up. The Wildcats let a final minute lead of six points slip away, eventually falling to the Thunderbirds 90–82 in overtime at the Dee Events Center on Jan. 5. However, WSU sits just a game out of first place in the Big Sky Conference standings with a record of 3–1. “We just gotta keep our composure,” junior guard Jerrick Harding said. “We gotta play together as a team. I feel like we lacked energy the whole game (against SUU). That led to us not getting stops.” The ‘Cats will return home on Jan. 17 for a pair of games against Idaho State and Northern Colorado.
Weber State faced off with the Bears three times in the 2017-18 season. The Wildcats came through with two comeback victories in the regular season, but it was a different result come playoff time. UNC routed WSU 80–55 in the first round of the conference tournament in Reno to end the Wildcats’ season. Following the homestand, the Wildcats will travel to the Treasure State of Montana and take on two formidable foes. WSU will face off with the Bobcats of Montana State, followed by a meeting with the University of Montana Grizzlies in Missoula. Montana State currently sits in second place in the conference with a record of 3–1, while Montana is 3–2 after two upset losses to Portland State and Eastern Washington. In 2016-17, the Wildcats won in Missoula for the first time since 2009. However, a banged-up and depleted WSU team lost
by double-digits at Dahlberg Arena at the end of last season. Wildcats head coach Randy Rahe said a key in conference play is to maintain composure, no matter who the opponent is. “I think we kind of let our guard down a little bit (against SUU),” Rahe said. “You can’t do that in this league against any team. Home, road, it doesn’t matter.” With the conference switching from an 18-game regular season to 20, Rahe said there are sure to be ebbs and flows throughout the league. “It’s a long season. It’s a marathon, not a sprint,” Rahe said. “Almost every team in the league is going to go through an up or down or two, it’s just going to happen. What we have to do is persevere and bounce back. It’s a very easy fix, we just need to make sure our minds are in the right place.” Comment on this story at signpost.mywebermedia.com
JOSHUA WINEHOLT | The Signpost
MyWeberMedia.com | January 14, 2019 | 13
WANT TO SURVIVE? SNOW PROBLEM By ALEXA NIELSON Reporter
A course on how to avoid being crushed by cascading ice and rocks will be taught from Jan. 11 to 13. This three-day, 24-hour introduction to avalanche hazard management will be conducted by the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education. The Avalanche 1 Course is being held in the Ben Lomond Backcountry Area. The training is structured to teach winter sports enthusiasts a foundation in how to prepare for and carry out a backcountry trip, basic decision-making skills while on the mountain and rescue techniques required to locate and dig up an avalanche victim. Courses are divided into AIARE Level 1 and Level 2. Level 1 prerequisites include the ability to ski uphill and ski/ snowboard downhill through steep, ungroomed terrain under any weather or snowpack conditions. The price is $350, 30 percent off with a valid Wildcard, and includes AIARE Avalanche Level 1 course instruction, course materials, beacon rental, probe and shovel as needed. The classroom portion of the session will be held at Gear:30 in Ogden or at Weber State University. All field sessions will take place on U.S. forest service land utilizing special use permits or on private land with permission from industry partners.
Level 2 prerequisites include completion of an AAA accredited Level 1 Avalanche Course and an AAA accredited Avalanche Rescue Course. All other prerequisites are the same as those for Level 1, as is the cost. Participants in Level 2 will be required to do a fair amount of skiing in backcountry conditions. Participants should be in good physical condition and familiar with ski touring or splitboarding equipment. There are a minimum 24 hours of instruction, 60 percent of which is in the field. Participants are responsible for transporting themselves to and from classrooms and field sessions. Participants also need to provide their own touring equipment. No snowshoes are allowed on the course. Participants also need to bring enough food and water for a full day of touring as there is nowhere to purchase any. They will be given a full list of equipment prior to the course. Participants will need to bring an avalanche receiver, shovel and probe. All of this can be rented from the WSU Outdoor Program for a set fee. Registration is required by 6 p.m. on the Tuesday prior to the course. For more information, call Jamie Bernstein at 801 626 7905. Comment on this story at signpost.mywebermedia.com
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ALL ABOARD OGDEN’S NEW TRANSIT SYSTEM
14 | MyWeberMedia.com | January 14, 2019
By KAINOA NUNEZ Reporter
Ogden High School hosted an open house on Jan. 9 in celebration of the Utah Transit Authority’s latest project: the Ogden Bus Rapid Transit system. The BRT is a 5.3-mile system that connects the Ogden FrontRunner to Weber State University and McKay Dee Hospital. According to the UTA website, the new railway is a project several years in the making. “This meeting tonight is the combination of all the studies we’ve worked on to find the recommended alignment for the project,” said UTA Project Manager Hal Johnson. According to the UTA website, after the Wasatch Front Urban Area Long Range Transportation Plan 2004-2030 called for a transit system connecting downtown Ogden and the university, the public became deeply involved in the planning and production of the project’s first phase. Construction of the BRT is set to begin in 2021 and will be completed by 2022. Replacing U.S. Route 603, the line will include 13 stations and bus lanes throughThe Signpost Archives
out 32nd Street, Harrison Boulevard and will extend up to the Dee Events Center. The transit schedule will consist of 10-minute service from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with 15-minute service during weekdays. On weekends, the line will run every 1530 minutes and will include transit signal priority, as well as new stations and vehicles. “Currently, what we’re planning is to keep the service same as it is on the 603 on Sunday and Saturday, but there will be some modifications to the schedule,” Project Development Planner Ethan Ray said. “So far, what I know, it won’t cause trouble for the rest of the buses.” The project as a whole will reportedly cost $79 million to finance, the majority of funding stemming from the Federal Transit Administration. How-
ever, according to Johnson, WSU is also contributing to the project with help from partners Wasatch Front Regional Council, Ogden City, Intermountain Healthcare, Weber County Council of Governments and the Utah Department of Transportation. Another community overseeing the project is Ogden Onboard. Their goal is to create an environment where housing is accessible and affordable and where everyone can walk or ride safely to the park, school, work, or shopping without a vehicle. “The goal is to build upon this success that the BRT brings, but it isn’t going to bring necessary development,” Strategic Planner Levi Roberts said. “There’s other things that need to happen, and
“Everyone involved in the Peer Mentor Program are all very understanding and welcoming.”
Get Involved in Peer Mentoring! Find or be a mentor at
weber.edu/mentors
the city needs to be more proactive.” Once installed, there are questions as to how the BRT would affect Ogden’s environment and air quality. With an energy-efficient light system and improved transit service throughout the city, the project may decrease the number of cars on the road and make Ogden — and Weber State — a more pedestrian and bike-friendly place. “Weber State has a goal to become carbon neutral by 2050, and one of the issues there is the emissions that we are constantly generating,” WSU geography major Kyia Hill said. “What BRT is doing will help us 100 percent.” In addition to improving air quality and pollution, the transit system may also remedy the issue of parking availability on campus. With more students taking the FrontRunner during their morning commute, the parking demand will likely subside. For more information on the BRT project, an overview can be found on the UTA website. Comment on this story at signpost.mywebermedia.com
HELP WANTED
MyWeberMedia.com | January 14, 2019 | 15
FEATURED JOB
DAVIS LEARNING CENTER LEAD WRITING TUTOR The position performs the following functions and duties: • Scheduling, Tracking, and conducting class visits. • Serving as a lead writing tutor by modeling best practice tutoring techniques • Subsitituting for other tutors as needed
• Planning and facilitating staff meetings • Serving as a resource for tutors on writing concepts
$TBA
Requisition Number: H00595P
FEATURED JOB
PHYSICS LAB AIDE
The position performs the following functions and duties: • Work with a lab instructor to supervise and help students in an introductory physics lab section. • Provide technical help using equipment and computers • Answer questions related to the physics concepts of the labs, and guide students in the completion of
labs. • Access invaluable experience in physics, lab skills, and teaching.
$TBA Requisition Number: H00231P
Special Events Assistant Campus Recreation $9.00 Requisition Number: H00588P
Receptionist Teacher Education $TBA Requisition Number: H00129P
Office/Research Assistant Business Administration $12.00 Requisition Number: H00318P
Research Assistant- Child and Family Studies Child and Family Studies $9.00 Requisition Number: H00258P
Athletics Hourly Assistant Positions Athlectics Admin $TBA Requisition Number: H00105P
Technical Support Specialist and Programmer Financial Svcs IT $12.00 Requisition Number: H00197P
Fitness-Functional Fitness Personal Trainer Campus Recreation $12.00 Requisition Number: H00085P
Student Research Assistant Ctr for Community Engaged Learning $10.00 Requisition Number: H00307P
Office Assistant, Law Enforcement Academy CE Law Enforce Academy $10.50 Requisition Number: H00590P
Fitness-Functional Fitness Consultant Campus Recreation $8.75 Requisition Number: H00241P
Botany Teaching Assistant Botany $10.00 Requisition Number: H00591P
Employment Outreach Intern Career Services $9.50 Requisition Number: H00347P
THE SIGNPOST TEAM
Editor-in-Chief Harrison Epstein harrisonepstein@mail.weber.edu
Chief Copy Editor Cole Eckhardt eckhardtco@gmail.com
A&E Editor Alyson Johnson alysonjohnson@mail.weber.edu
Adviser Jean Norman jeannorman@weber.edu
Managing Editor Daryn Steed darynsteed@weber.edu
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THE PATH TO LEADERSHIP IS ALSO THE PATH TO A COLLEGE EDUCATION.
Available at almost 1,000 colleges and universities nationwide, Army ROTC sets you apart by providing leadership skills and unmatched personal development. It also provides great benefits like advanced career training and opportunities for scholarships. As an Army officer, you adapt to challenges and empower others to become highly trained, adaptable and ready for anything. Be a leader on the team that makes a difference. goarmy.com/rotc
Earn money for college with the Weber State Army ROTC program. To get more information about Army ROTC, call the Weber State Army ROTC program at 801-626-8609, email arotc@weber.edu, or visit goarmy.com/rotc/oe36 today!
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