Campus Protest Election Results: The Signpost 11/19/2024
Cover Photo By: Norlito Ranchez Jr. | The Signpost
By TATEM COOPER Reporter
Concerning emails
On Nov. 5, a Weber State University police officer was dispatched to an info law call. The officer was given details about a concerning email sent to various departments on campus. Nothing was found in the WSU system about the sender. Weber State sent the information over to the FBI for further investigation, but nothing further was found and the case was dropped.
Flooding
Weber State officers were dispatched on Nov. 9 to flooding in the Browning Center. The cause was thought to be a possible sprinkler head break. When officers arrived, they found that a valve had been left open in the chiller room. After shutting it off, the flooding stopped. No broken sprinkler heads were found.
Party busted
Weber officers were patrolling the dorms on Nov. 9 and heard a disturbance. Officers waited outside and heard evidence of underage drinking from statements made inside the room. The students inside climbed out of the window, and officers reviewed the cameras to see which dorms the students entered. All involved were eventually cooperative, and officers forwent charges.
COLLEGE DEMOCRATS AT WSU PROTEST ELECTION RESULTS
By ALFONSO RUBIO Reporter
With the election wrapped up, students at Weber State University wasted no time in expressing their opinions on the results.
On Nov. 15, the College Democrats at Weber State University club held an anti-Trump, pro-freedom protest in the Shepherd Union from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The club set up tables in front of the Wildcat Lanes and Games to encourage conversations and held signs expressing their thoughts on the election.
Throughout the protest, students with
all kinds of different beliefs held civil conversations with the College Democrats. Although campus police were on standby, the protest remained peaceful and never got out of hand.
“We’re doing this protest so that we can spread the word and try to make it so we can mitigate the harm of the Trump presidency, not just from us talking and advocating, but we’re going to channel this energy into political power,” Ethan Bishop, president of the College Democrats stated.
“We have 2 years until the midterm, 4 years until the next presidential election, and we’re starting right now.”
Members of the College Democrats at Weber State continued to affirm their intentions behind the protest was to not only educate people on their beliefs, but to better understand the beliefs of those with different ideologies.
“We’re not rioting, we’re not in the street arguing, we’re not in the street fighting anyone, we’re peacefully trying to educate people,” Tessie Violet, a member of the College Democrats, said. “We’re not pushing our agenda, but we’re trying to understand what other people’s agendas are, and why they voted for Trump.”
Although willing to hear other people
out, Violet claims a major goal within the protest was to educate those with opposing views.
“The whole reason we are trying to educate people is because when you are not given the correct education, when you aren’t given unbiased information, you’re going to be in the cycle of being fed misinformation,” Violet stated.
Just a few weeks after election day, students at Weber have already begun utilizing their first amendment rights. The College Democrats at Weber State thought that the conversations between students were surely worthwhile.
LEFT: Several students gather around the WSU Democrats table. TOP RIGHT: WSU Democrats President, Ethan Bishop discusses about the post-election with fellow Widcats. BOTTOM RIGHT: WSU Democrats invite Kate Nielsen (second right), Chair of the Democratic Party for Weber County in correspondence to the rally.
DEMÓCRATAS UNIVERSITARIOS EN WSU PROTESTAN LOS RESULTADOS DE LAS ELECCIONES
Por DAVID ROMAN AROS Traductor
Por ALFONSO RUBIO Reporter
Con el fin de la elección, los alumnos de la Universidad de Weber State no demoraron en expresar sus opiniones en cuanto llegaron los resultados de la elección.
El 15 de noviembre, los College Democrats at Weber State University club (el club de los demócratas universitarios de Weber State) tuvieron una protesta en contra de Trump, y a favor de la libertad, en el edificio de Shephard Union desde 11AM hasta 2:30PM. El club puso mesas delante de Wildcat Lanes and Games para promover conversaciones y sostener letreros que expresaban sus pensamientos de la elección.
En el transcurso de la protesta, alumnos con muchas creencias diferentes mantuvieron conversaciones civiles con
los Demócratas Universitarios. Aunque la policía del campus estaba supervisando, la protesta nunca salió de la mano.
“Estamos haciendo esta protesta para que podamos difundir la palabra y hacer que mitiguemos el daño de la presidencia de Trump, no solo de nosotros hablando y abogando por nuestra causa, pero vamos a convertir esta energía en poder político”, Ethan Bishop, Presidente de los demócratas universitarios dijo. “Tenemos dos años hasta la mitad de la presidencia, cuatro años hasta la siguiente elección presidencial, y estamos empezando ahora”.
Miembros de los demócratas universitarios de Weber State continuaron afirmar sus intenciones detrás de la protesta, no fue solamente para educar a otras personas de nuestras creencias, si no para mejorar nuestro entendimiento de aquellos con ideología diferente.
“No estamos haciendo revuelta, ni tampoco estamos en la calle discutiendo, ya no estamos en la calle peleando, tranquilamente estamos intentando
educar a la gente”, una miembra de los demócratas universitarios Tessie Violet, dijo “No estamos convenciendo de lo contrario, pero si nos tratamos de entender las opiniones de los demás, y porque votaron por Trump”.
A pesar de estar dispuestos a escuchar a los demás, Violet declara que una meta principal de la protesta era educar aquellos con un punto de vista opuesto.
Violet dijo, “La razón por la que estamos intentando educar a las personas es porque cuando uno no se educa correctamente, cuando no se recibe información imparcial, va a estar en un ciclo de recibir más información”.
Hace un par de semanas después de la elección, los alumnos de Weber ya han empezado a aprovechar sus derechos de la primera enmienda. Los demócratas universitarios de Weber State pensaban que sus conversaciones entre los otros estudiantes valían la pena.
Kalijah Robinson (left) and Jared Caldwell debate with
THIS WEATHER IS SNOW JOKE: PREPPING FOR WINTER
By TATEM COOPER Reporter
Now that the temperature is starting to fall, out-of-state students are gearing up for a winter away from home. For those hailing from warmer climates, the transition can be particularly challenging. Knowing how to prepare for the heavy snow and the dipping temperature is crucial.
In 2022, from Jan. 1 to April 3, 1,925 car crashes were recorded from snow-related accidents. There are many preventative measures that can be taken to safely navigate through the snow.
“Definitely put on snow tires,” Weber
State University student and Ogden native Mazie Sweat said.
Snow tires can be pricey, but they come with good quality benefits. Due to the deeper tread design in snow tires, they provide better traction on snow and ice. They also provide better braking distance and cold weather control that keeps the tires in good condition in cold temperatures.
“Get your car checked for the winter when you go to register it later in the year; they will just double check that you have everything that you need and if you need to get your tires fixed,” WSU student Caroline Jessen said.
Making sure to take extra time in the
morning to prepare your car has also proven to be advantageous. Waking up as little as five minutes early to defrost your car can help make mornings trouble-free and make sure you have no trouble getting to class on time. Along with investing in things like a windshield scraper, which will be helpful for the heavy snow days.
Leaving snow on the top of your car can be unsafe. It can cause the snow to slide onto the windshield while you are driving and limit your vision, or the snow can be blown into vehicles behind you, limiting their vision and possibly damaging them.
“Always carry a shovel in your car because if you get stuck, then you have to dig
yourself out somehow,” WSU student and Ogden City native Brianna Wooden said.
With the cold weather comes the need for warm clothes. Making sure to either have a good, heavy duty winter coat or plenty of items of clothing to layer will make all the difference. Along with keeping smaller clothing items easily accessible like beanies, gloves, scarfs and extra thick socks. In order to actually prevent the cold, good-quality shoes are a necessity. Having waterproof or heavy-duty shoes will make sure to keep the cold water off your feet and prevent the slipping. Make sure to take proper precautions to ensure not only your safety and wellbeing but also that of others.
NATIVE Symposium NATIVE
NOV 13 NOV 18 NOV 21
Sunrise Ceremony
Rios Pacheco, a respected Northwestern Shoshone/Kewa Pueblo Spiritual Representative Cultural Analyst and Elder of the tribe
8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Stewart Bell Tower, WSU Ogden
Learn about the legacy of the boarding school era, the resilience of its survivors, and how to support The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalitaion movement for truth, healing, and justice.
Sponsored by Stewart Library and Student Success Center.
12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Hetzel-Hoellein Room, Stewart Library, WSU Ogden Also available via Zoom
Workshop: Organizing Your Digital Footprint For Impactful Professional Personal Brand Identity
Lorato Lee, Utah Native American Chamber of Commerce. Students please bring your resumes, LinkedIn and social media accounts.
3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Shepherd Union 316, WSU Ogden
Film Screening: RezMetal
A compelling story of the heavy metal scene on Navajo reservations. Food will be provided
5 - 7 p.m. Hetzel-Hoellein Room, Stewart Library, WSU Ogden
CULTURAL GRADUATIONS MISSING AFTER HOUSE BILL 261
By WIKTORIA KOLODZIEJCZYK Reporter
Earlier this summer, when House Bill 261 passed, the graduation celebration landscape at Weber State University changed significantly. The bill limits how universities can recognize the achievements of the diverse student body by prohibiting higher education institutions from hosting practices based on identity, including diversity, equity and inclusion elements. This significant shift has led the identity-based graduation ceremonies into celebrations of a more generalized format.
Historically, Weber State organized several graduation ceremonies, each tailored to various ethnic groups, cultures or people of unique identity backgrounds. These celebrations ranged from the
Lavender Graduation to honor LGBTQ graduates to la Celebración de Mariposas, a student-run ceremony that celebrated Hispanic and Latino cultures.
Those unique graduation ceremonies were open to anyone and “made students want to come and to be there, to be present, to feel that sense of community,” Brandon Flores, the executive director of the newly revamped Student Success Center, said.
The Native American graduation ceremony would typically feature elders from tribes who offered cultural blessings and shared words of encouragement in a speech. Ceremonial elements like traditional food, songs and dances also played a huge part in the celebration.
Similarly, the Pasifika graduation ceremony allowed students to recognize their parents and family members, and
gave them an opportunity to publicly express gratitude and share their college experiences. Families could participate in a deeply personal way, and were given an opportunity to see their children’s achievements celebrated in a personal context that honored their cultural backgrounds.The inclusion of cultural artifacts and a specific graduation stole also promoted a sense of belonging and solidarity.
Given the new restrictions, students who previously looked forward to these unique celebrations are now faced with a new reality.
“My team is no longer leading out cultural identity-specific graduation celebrations,” Flores said. “We are still exploring other options of how we can celebrate students.”
Flores also emphasized that his team will
always recognize that those celebrations were such meaningful events for students.
Without any doubt, those changes have sparked mixed reactions among students. Despite it all, there is still hope and a new sense of determination among students and staff to keep fostering a sense of belonging and appreciation on campus.
Flores said that students have an incredibly positive influence, especially amongst their peers and community. Even facing a situation like this, there are still a lot of opportunities to connect with one another and find new ways to celebrate diversity and inclusion in ways that are not only meaningful but also compliant with the new law.
LEFT: Weber State graduate Eva Martinez with her diploma after the 2021 Latinx graduation ceremony. RIGHT: Dancers performing a dance at the 2021 Latinx graduation ceremony.
Weber
State University
Weber State University
CEREMONIAS DE GRADUACIÓN CULTURAL AUSENTES TRAS EL PROYECTO DE LEY 261
Por VICTORIA HERNANDEZ Traductor
Por WIKTORIA KOLODZIEJCZYK Reportero
Falta de graduación cultural este semestre// HB261 elimina las graduaciones culturales// Faltan graduaciones culturales tras la Ley de la Cámara 621// ¿Adonde fueron a parar las graduaciones culturales?
A principios de este verano, cuando la Ley de la Cámara 621 pasó, el paisaje de la celebración de graduación de Weber State University cambió drásticamente. Esta ley limita como las universidades pueden reconocer los logros de la alumnado diverso prohibiendo que las instituciones de enseñanza superior puedan dar hospedaje a prácticas basadas en identidad, incluyendo elementos de diversidad cultural, equidad e inclusión.
Históricamente, Weber State organizó varias ceremonias de graduación, cada una
adaptada a los diferentes grupos étnicos, culturas o personas de fondos de identidad únicos. Estas celebraciones abarcan desde la Graduación Lavender para honrar a los graduados de LGBTG+ hasta la Celebración de Mariposas, una ceremonia dirigida para estudiantes que celebraba las culturas hispanas y latinas.
Estas únicas ceremonias de graduación eran abiertas para todos e “hizo que los estudiantes quisieran venir y quedarse, estar presente, sentir el sentimiento de comunidad,” Brandon Flores, el director ejecutivo del renovado Centro de Éxito Estudiantil, dijo.
La ceremonia de graduación de los Nativos Americanos típicamente solía contar con la presencia de los mayores de las tribus, que ofrecen bendiciones culturales y comparten palabras de ánimo en un discurso. Los elementos ceremoniales, como la comida, las canciones y los bailes tradicionales, también desempeñan un papel importante en la celebración.
Del mismo modo, la ceremonia de graduación pasifika permitió a los estudiantes reconocer a sus padres y familiares, y les dio la oportunidad de expresar públicamente su gratitud y compartir sus experiencias universitarias.
Las familias pudieron participar de una manera muy personal y tuvieron la oportunidad de ver los logros de sus hijos celebrados en un contexto personal que honraba sus antecedentes culturales. La inclusión de artefactos culturales y una estola de graduación específica también fomentaron un sentimiento de pertenencia y solidaridad.
Dadas las nuevas restricciones, los estudiantes que antes esperaban con ilusión estas celebraciones únicas se enfrentan ahora a una nueva realidad.
“Mi equipo ya no dirige celebraciones de graduación específicas para cada identidad cultural”, dijo Flores. “Todavía estamos explorando otras opciones de cómo podemos celebrar a los estudiantes”.
Flores también enfatizó que su equipo siempre reconocerá que estas celebraciones fueron eventos tan significativos para los estudiantes.
Sin duda, estos cambios han provocado diversas reacciones entre los estudiantes.
A pesar de todo, todavía hay esperanza y un nuevo sentido de determinación entre los estudiantes y el personal para seguir fomentando un sentido de pertenencia y aprecio en el campus.
Flores dijo que los estudiantes tienen una influencia muy positiva, especialmente entre sus compañeros y comunidad. Incluso ante una situación así, sigue habiendo muchas oportunidades de conectar unos con otros y encontrar nuevas formas de celebrar la diversidad y la inclusión de maneras que no sólo sean significativas, sino también conformes con la nueva ley.
LEFT: Weber State University graduates and community members gathered for the Latinx Grad Ceremony at the Dee Events Center on April 24, 2021. RIGHT: The Pan-Asian stole sitting between the African Diaspora stole and the Ohana Association stole.
By GAVIN NELSON Reporter
WILDCAT FOOTBALL’S LOSS STREAK CONTINUES
Weber State University’s football team fell 31–24 to the University of Idaho Vandals on Nov. 17, bringing the Wildcats’ loss streak to five games.
The game started with both teams having back-to-back punts to end their opening two drives until the Vandals broke the stalemate with a three-play, 62-yard drive culminating in a 36-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jack Layne to wide receiver Mark Hamper.
After the Wildcats went three-and-out on their next drive, they forced the Vandals to punt from their own 34-yard line, and freshman wide receiver Noah Kjar returned the punt 43 yards to Idaho’s 40-yard line. The Wildcat offense drove down to the Vandal 3-yard line. After the Vandals stopped junior running back Damon Bankston on the 1-yard line on third down, sophomore quarterback Richie Muñoz found sophomore tight end Keayen Nead for the touchdown pass to tie the game 7–7.
On their next drive, the Vandals drove down to the Wildcat 32-yard line but turned the ball over on downs after an incomplete pass on fourth down. Weber’s offense went three-and-out on their next drive, and Idaho kicker Cameron Pope hit a 50-yard field goal to make the game 10–7. On the ensuing kickoff, Kjar returned it 47 yards to the Wildcat 47-yard line. The Wildcats drove down the field, and a quarterback sneak by Muñoz made it a 14–10 game in favor of the Wildcats heading into the half.
On their first drive of the second half, the Wildcats went three-and-out. The Vandals got 3 more points following a 48-yard field goal from Pope. The Wildcats went threeand-out once again, and Pope scored another field goal, this time from 36 yards out.
The Wildcats had another three-and-out, but on the Vandals’ next drive, Layne’s pass was almost intercepted by Weber State cornerback Toddrick Dixon. Dixon dropped the ball and it tipped off his shoe as he fell to the ground, then bounced into the hands of Wildcat cornerback Ishaan Daniels.
Weber State got the ball with good field position at the beginning of the fourth quarter. However, following a controversial no-call of Idaho defenders holding Wildcat receiver Jacob Sharp’s jersey, the Vandals
would force a turnover on downs from the Wildcats.
The Vandals drove down the field to make it a two-score game following another Layne-to-Hamper touchdown connection.
The Wildcats drove down to the Idaho 14, but after the drive stalled, they elected to kick a field goal. Senior kicker Kyle Thompson made the 31-yard attempt.
Weber needed a stop to keep it a onescore game. After two good plays from the defense, a miscommunication caused Layne to find Hamper again, who slipped through the defense for a 74-yard touchdown reception.
On the Wildcats’ next drive, Muñoz slipped the ball between two Vandals defenders to find Sharp, who scored a 57yard touchdown to once again make it a one-score game at 31–24. However, Weber failed to recover the onside kick, leading to Idaho taking a knee to end the game.
Muñoz finished the game with 207 passing yards and two touchdown passes. Bankston led the team with 54 rushing yards and passed Weber State Hall of Fame Fine Unga for sixth all-time in school history in rushing yards in a career.
The Wildcats will be back at Stewart Stadium on Nov. 23 at 1 p.m. to take on the California Polytechnic State University Mustangs for the final game of the season.
Weber State University linebacker Winston Reid (6) running after a University of Idaho player.
Weber State University wide receiver, Haze Hadley (5) running down the field with the football as a University of Idaho player runs after him.
Story and Photo By BRAYSON BROWN Asst. Editor
Weber State University hockey played two games this past week: a 3–2 victory over The University of Utah on Nov. 13, followed by a 4–3 loss to instate rivals Utah State University on Nov. 15.
Traveling to the Eccles Ice Sheet in Logan, Utah, to face the Aggies of Utah State, the Wildcats came out sharp and ready to quiet down the rowdy Aggie fans, obtaining a 2–0 lead to end the first period.
Heading into the second period, Utah State still couldn’t catch their footing as Weber capitalized and scored to have a 3–0 advantage. The Wildcats began to slip and gave a couple power plays to Utah State. The Aggies clambered their way back into the game, scoring three goals in a 15-minute span to tie the score up at the end of the second period.
“After we went up 3–0, they were deflated, and we didn’t keep our foot on the gas, and when that happens, you know they are a good team, and they are going to get back into the game,” head coach Yosh Ryujin said.
AGGIES LEAVE THE WILDCATS IN DUST
Momentum shifted to the hometown team’s favor, and they took advantage of it, peppering Wildcat goalie Trey Hirschfield with a countless number of shots till the Aggies then took the 4–3 lead and won the game.
“The game is full of peaks and valleys and ups and downs,” Ryujin said. “We went up 3–0 and then kind of let them creep back in the game with some penalties, but that’s the nature of the game; you are going to have momentum shifts throughout.”
The Wildcats had 10 penalties to the Aggies’ eight.
“We have to clean up some of our defensive zone areas. A lot of the mistakes that happened for goals were self-inflicted,” Ryujin said. “We just have to tighten up as much as possible and if we do that, we are going to be fine.”
Weber State’s record is now 10–8 on the season. Weber will host the Beehive Classic next week, playing four games from Nov. 21-24. Weber will face off against Colorado State University, Loyola Marymount University, Boise State University and Northern Arizona University all at home at the Weber County Ice Sheet.
Landen Reed (#25), looking to pass the puck behind Utah State Universities goal.
Business Manager Rob Steedley robertsteedley@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.
