The Signpost: INAUGURATION DAY STAYS QUIETPAGE>>>4 WSU INCREASES IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE AT EVENTS

Friday | January 29, 2021 | Volume 94 | Issue 5

INAUGURATION DAY STAYS QUIET PAGE>>>4

Sarah Earnshaw | The Signpost

2 | MyWeberMedia.com| January 29, 2021

PRESENTS

S PPORT

MARY MAPES

The Signpost

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WSU INCREASES IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE AT EVENTS

By SARAH EARNSHAW

Videography Editor

Weber State University announced they were expanding in-person attendance in their event guidelines on Jan. 27 until the end of spring break on March 15 per Governor Spencer J. Cox’s new health guidelines released on Jan. 22.

WSU said throughout the month of February, they will work with pre-selected event organizers and venue coordinators to test their ability to expand the number of

people who can safely attend events on campuses while following local health guidelines. Guidelines have previously stated counties that were rated moderate or high risk of transmission of COVID-19 could only have 10 people at an event while wearing masks and social distancing. WSU will be increasing that number from 10 to 50 on a trial basis.

“Our goal is to conduct these test cases and evaluate the protocols in place, with the hope that we might be able to allow more and larger events to be held in person later

in the spring semester,” Director of Public Safety Dane LeBlanc wrote in the email announcement to WSU students and staff.

As of Jan. 27, 2021, Weber State had a reported total of 545 cases in students on campus since Jan. 1, 2020. In an effort to keep the case count low, there will be a number of factors resulting in the decision for WSU to host an event with these new guidelines.

These factors include COVID-19 transmission rates in local counties and on the campus, the ven-

ue capacity, whether the event is indoors or outdoors, if the activity is WSU-sponsored or an external, third-party event and the nature of the event, such as dances or high-respiratory activities.

“By piloting these test runs in the coming weeks, we hope to develop guidelines for an eventual phasedin approach to hosting more events at Weber State, while minimizing the spread of COVID-19 in our community,” LeBlanc said.

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4 | MyWeberMedia.com| January 29, 2021

UTAH CAPITOL STAYED QUIET AFTER PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION

By SARAH EARNSHAW Videography Editor

When we got to the Utah State Capitol on Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 20, shortly after the inauguration of President Joe Biden, it was eerily quiet. Having gone to a Black Lives Matter protest in June of 2020, I expected the Capitol to be packed.

This was different. There were no police officers forming a protective circle around the Capitol on the the grass with riot shields. This time, there were National Guard members holding guns at the doors of the Capitol.

There was a small group of protestors wear-

ing Trump flags when we got there. Noticing that they were keeping to themselves and chatting, we took a walk around the Capitol.

We were watched only by the members of the National Guard that were pacing back and forth across the sidewalks. No one tried to stop us as we made it into the center of the Capitol.

There were National Guard members posted at every corner of the Capitol — at nearly every entrance.

Shortly after we took our walk around the Capitol, another protestor showed up. He was covered head to toe, including a ski mask.

He shouted his opinions at the National Guard and the present media that it was the

Empty path at Utah Capitol on Jan. 20, 2021.

democrats that were going to get rid of our freedom.

“This isn’t about Trump anymore,” he declared multiple times. He said the democrats were attacking his freedom. He had moved from California to Utah in hopes to get away from the Democratic party — only for him to find that it had “ruined” Utah as well.

Other protestors that had been there longer felt more confidence in expressing their frustrations to the National Guard as well after this protestor showed up. They expressed their feelings on what they perceived to be an unfair election and their concerns for the future.

The protest was scheduled to start around 2:30 p.m. We got there at 12 p.m., and when things didn’t change after 2:30, we left around 3 p.m. People came and went during that time frame, but only three people were vocal in their protest. The most interesting thing to come out of this experience were pictures to show what the Utah State Capitol looked like after the 2021 presidential inauguration.

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Sarah Earnshaw | The Signpost

MyWeberMedia.com| January 29, 2021 | 5

Lone protestor stands at the steps of Utah Capitol Jan. 20, 2021.

Sarah Earnshaw | The Signpost

Sarah Earnshaw | The Signpost

Protestor standing at the steps of Utah’s Capitol after inauguration of President Joe Biden.

Sarah Earnshaw | The Signpost

National Guard stands atop Utah Capitol, bracing for potential rowdy protesters.

6 | MyWeberMedia.com| January 29, 2021

By KIERSTYNN KING Reporter

KIERSTYNN KING | The Signpost

The start of the new semester brought new opportunities for students interested in participating in Greek life on campus. During the week of Jan. 25, WSU sororities and fraternities are holding their annual spring semester recruitment week.

Those interested in participating can look up the fraternities and sororities on WSU’s website and contact the groups.

This year’s recruitment week is different from those in the past because of COVID-19.

Only one fraternity, Phi Gamma Lambda, and three sororities, Tau Psi Beta, Kappa Omega Eta and Pi Phi Alpha, participated in recruitment week.

Phi Gamma Lambda President Mitchell Keahey said Heather Cimino, clubs and organizations and Greek life coordinator, was the middle-woman between the university and

Greek life on campus to make sure all COVID regulations were being followed.

“She really made sure that recruitment week was able to happen, and without her, I don’t think this would have been possible,” Keahey said.

Keahey has been president of Phi Gamma Lambda since last summer when elections for the position were held.

“Being a president during the time of a pandemic requires a lot of adaptability and being quick on your feet,” Keahey said.

Keahey described Phi Gamma Lambda as a brotherhood that tries to be a family away from family for guys.

“We try to keep our organization smaller, so we can create close-knit relationships,” Keahey said.

Phi Gamma Lambda decided to only do two Greek rush events during recruitment week, instead of their usual five.

“We know it’s a little bit challenging with people not being on campus. We didn’t want

Pi Phi Alpha President Kennedy Dykster.

to swamp potential new members with a ton of events,” Keahey said. “We picked targeted events, like football in the park and playing video games in Tracy Hall where we can spread out and wear masks.”

Flyers for Tau Psi Beta recruitment week events have been seen around campus. The sorority decided to host four virtual events — Bond with the Betas, Pajama Night, Let Us Entertain You (via Instagram) and a game night — and one in-person event, the Formal Night, which was held in the fireplace lounge on campus with masks required.

Pi Phi Alpha President Kennedy Dykster described the sorority as having an organic charm.

“We just like to see what happens when we vibe with people and how we connect with them,” Dykster said.

Pi Phi Alpha decided to host five virtual events: Introduction Day, Paint Night, Philanthropy Night, Formal Night and Invite-only Night.

Despite all of the events being virtual, Dykster said the connection within Pi Phi Alpha is really strong. They have a messaging app and a group Snapchat and make TikTok videos together.

“We’ve been able to reach a broader audience,” Dykster said. “One potential new member that reached out to us lives in Mexico — that was really exciting. She wouldn’t be able to come to our events otherwise, if doing virtual events wasn’t possible.”

Dykster said she is also really looking forward to future philanthropy events.

“It’ll be interesting to see all the different ways we can do that virtually, and never actually meet up, while being able to benefit the community,” Dykster said.

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MyWeberMedia.com| January 29, 2021 | 7

By EMILY MILLER Reporter

host their second home game of the season against Northern Arizona on March 27.

The ‘Cats will then travel down south on April 3 to face in-state rival Southern Utah before hosting Idaho State at Stewart Stadium on April 10.

Overall, eight Big Sky schools will be participating in the upcoming season. Weber State is not scheduled to play against Eastern Washington or the University of Idaho.

Rolling into the modified season, Weber

State football is coming off of their third straight Big Sky Conference title.

NCAA FCS Playoffs are scheduled to begin April 24, following a required bye week for the participating teams. The Wildcats advanced to the semifinals in 2019 playoff appearance.

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The Signpost Archives

COVID-19 has forced schedule adjustments to the upcoming 2021 season for the Weber State football team after Northern Colorado, University of Montana, Montana State, Portland State and Sacramento State have opted out of playing for the upcoming season.

The Wildcats start their season with two road games. On Feb. 27, they will face off against Idaho State in Pocatello, Idaho, and on March 6, they will travel to the coast of California and face Cal Poly.

The first home game of the season will take place on March 13, against UC Davis. Opportunities for in-person attendance will be announced on a later date.

Following their game against the Aggies, there will be a bye week before the Wildcats

Wildcats celebrate their victory over the Eagles.

THE SIGNPOST TEAM Editor-in-Chief Jennifer Greenlee jennifergreenlee@mail.weber.edu

Chief Copy Editor Breanna Hart breannahart@mail.weber.edu

Webmaster David Morris david.lee.morris@gmail.com

Design & Graphics Editor Aubree Eckhardt aubreeeckhardt@mail.weber.edu

News Editor Marisa Nelson marisanelson@mail.weber.edu

Adviser Jean Norman jeannorman@weber.edu

Asst. Design & Graphics Editor Alli Rickards alexandrarickards@mail.weber.edu

Sports Editor Raymond Lucas raymondlucas@mail.weber.edu

Videography Editor Sarah Earnshaw sarahearnshaw@mail.weber.edu

Asst. Sports Editor Miles Shaw milesshaw@mail.weber.edu

Photo Editor BriElle Harker brielleharker@mail.weber.edu

Culture Editor Caitlyn Nichols caitlynnichols@mail.weber.edu

Ad Manager KC Sanders kcsanders@weber.edu

The Signpost is a student publication, written, edited and drafted by Weber State University students. Student fees fund the printing of this publication. Opinions or positions voiced are not necessarily endorsed by the university. The Signpost reserves the right to edit for reasons of space and libel and to refuse to print any letters. Letters should be submitted online to thesignpost@weber.edu and read letter to the Editor in the subject box. Letters should not exceed 350 words.

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