April 14, 2020 - Utah Statesman - Utah State University

Week of April 14, 2020 www.usustatesman.com (435) 797-1742 TSC Room 118 Free single copy NEWS | ‘An alternative to opioids’

STUDENT LIFE | Meet your senator

SPORTS | Tick, tock

Utah’s second cannabis pharmacy has opened in North Logan. How do the owners hope to serve Cache Valley?

Read how Alex Lyons isn’t only working toward a medical career, but also as the 2019-20 College of Science senator.

How are USU football players passing the time with a delayed spring season?

see PAGE 3

see PAGE 2

see PAGE 4

SILVER LINING?

How staying home is affecting the environment

By Taylor Cripe NEWS STAFF WRITER

Local music festival to be streamed online

After weeks of isolation and

economic loss resulting from businesses shutting down to slow the spread of COVID-19 around Cache Valley, there

may be a silver lining in the form of decreasing air pollutants.

Awbrey Burgess, a senior at

Utah State University studying geography, said this sit-

uation shows air pollution can be mitigated through self-awareness.

“The earth is getting a break

right now,” Burgess said.

“Moving forward, we should

This January 2018 photo shows the smog that frequents Cache Valley during the winter.

balance the economy with

for poor air quality.

ple things like walking more

mental engineering professor

where.”

in Jan. 2016, where he said

be thinking about how to the environment. Doing simand not driving a car every-

Northern Utah is notorious

throughout the last 15 years,

Randal Martin, an environ-

ly exceeded the 17 poor air

at USU, coauthored an article

STATESMAN FILE PHOTO

According to Martin, while

Cache Valley has general-

Cache Valley has been doing

quality days per year recom-

2016 because of regulation

mended by the Environmental Protection Agency.

better with pollution since on businesses, there is still a see “Air” PAGE 5

DeHarde and Merrill win top USU athlete honors

GRAPHIC COURTESY OF Aggie Radio Aggie Radio’s annual “Logan City Limits” will be livestreamed this year due to social distancing guidelines.

By Maggie Mattinson STUDENT LIFE STAFF WRITER

For the past decade, the Logan City Limits music festival host-

ed by Aggie Radio has been a spring staple for Utah State Uni-

versity and Logan, Utah’s music scene. The 2020 festival to

commemorate the 10th anniversary of the annual weekend of music was set to be bigger and better than ever before.

Aggie Radio’s events team, led by sophomore Sierra Benson,

had planned to combine the festival with the Utah State Uni-

versity Student Association’s End of Year Bash to create a truly spectacular event.

But as the COVID-19 pandemic became more of a reality

for USU students, Aggie Radio’s leadership realized despite

months of planning, an insane passion for events and pouring their hearts and souls into this festival, 2020’s Logan City Limits would be canceled.

At the end of March, however, the team got the green light to

produce something never done before in all of USU history: an entire three-day music festival condensed into one livestream.

“The hardest part is that our events team, led by Sierra Ben-

son, has been preparing for what would have been the largest Logan City Limits festival since August,” said Aggie Radio’s station manager Brandon Ellis. “They’ve put a lot of time in or-

ganizing, finding bands and collaborating with a lot of campus and community entities. We’ve had to throw away most of that and completely switch gears to something brand new and dif-

ferent. That isn’t easy, but if anyone can do it, it’s Aggie Radio.”

Sierra Benson, the events director for the station, said the

shift in format has been difficult emotionally as well as operationally.

“I had been planning this Logan City Limits for five months,

pulling out all the stops, since this was our 10 year anniversa-

ry,” Benson said. “Coming to the realization that I would never PHOTO COURTESY OF Wade Denniston/USU Athletics

By Dalton Renshaw SPORTS CONTENT MANAGER

The 2020 Robins Awards — put on

by Utah State University’s student involvement department — winners were

announced on Saturday, with both the

men’s and women’s athletes of the year up for grabs.

For the second straight year, USU bas-

ketball’s Sam Merrill was the recipient of the men’s award, while Autumn De-

Harde won her first after a spectacular season for USU gymnastics.

Women’s athlete of the year

DeHarde’s 2020 season was filled with

individual accolades. The junior set mul-

tiple personal records and even a few Utah State records, including career

PHOTO BY Iain Laurence

beam titles, which she now holds with

back-to-back seasons, a first in the pro-

beam titles in 2020 in just nine meets.

guard became the first player in Moun-

12. DeHarde grabbed an incredible six

In the team’s final meet of the season, USU defeated No. 17 BYU and finished a

perfect 4-0 home season. Naturally, DeHarde was instrumental in the win. The

Wisconsin-native earned a pair of titles

in beam and floor, setting a career-high 9.950 in the floor event.

Utah State’s beam group rose to as high

as No. 18 in the nation this past season, with DeHarde being a large part of that revival. For her efforts, she was awarded the Gymnast of the Year honor in the Mountain Rim Gymnastics Conference.

Men’s athlete of the year

Merrill led Utah State men’s basketball

to a Mountain West Tournament title in

gram’s history. In addition, the senior tain West history to win consecutive

tournament MVPs. The Bountiful-native finished his career at USU with 2,197 points — second in program and MW

history — and was the leader in two of

the Aggies’ most successful seasons. In addition to being a prolific scorer, Merrill

finished his career with the second-most

assists in USU history, a testament to his effectiveness in all areas of the court.

In the 2019-20 season, Utah State start-

ed the season No. 15 in the nation and ended the season — which was shortened to due the novel coronavirus — receiving votes in the top-25 and as Mountain West Tournament champions.

see “Robins” PAGE 5

see that hard work come to fruition was one of the hardest parts about turning to a livestream. Operationally, I had to

start over, making a small event lineup in the space of around four days so that we could get filming started the same week.”

Due to travel restrictions, several of the bands originally set

to play the festival can’t participate in the livestream. How-

ever, the Logan music scene pulled through to support Aggie Radio in this effort. The lineup is still tentative, but it includes

local favorites like SorryMom, Ugly Boys, Guava Tree and Iris Isadora.

This year, Aggie Radio has started a new project: the Blue

Light Media video team, led by Austin Roundy and Klaus VanZanten. Focusing on and developing this new division of Stu-

dent Media has been preparing them for the huge undertaking of a project like this.

“What we might not have realized is that we were practicing,

in a way, for a much larger project: the Logan City Limits livestream,” Ellis said.

Aggie Radio has never been faced with a challenge like this

before. But the students of the media group are facing it with

their characteristic optimism and drive, and are working to see “Streaming” PAGE 5

PAGE 2

WEEK OF APRIL 14, 2020

NEWS

‘An alternative to opioids’

Utah’s second medical cannabis pharmacy opens in N. Logan

By Alison Berg NEWS MANAGER

Tyler Kirschbaun was thrilled when Utah voters gave the

green light on Proposition 2 — the Medical Marijuana Initiative.

After months of battling over the initiative in the state legisla-

Utah has strict regulations on who can obtain medical mari-

juana and how they can obtain it, but Pearl said the pharmacy has had a smooth opening thus far.

“These aren’t budtenders, these are pharmacy agents,” he

said, referencing the colloquial name for retail workers at cannabis dispensaries.

“It’s treated a lot like a pharmacy you’d find in a grocery

ture, Kirschbaun was thrilled when North Logan became home

store,” he added. “We have to label things, everything is very

Perfect Earth Modern Apothecary celebrated a “soft opening”

Sam Warner, a pharmacist at Perfect Earth Modern Apothe-

to the state’s second medical cannabis pharmacy. on April 1 at 2150 North Main St.

To celebrate such a drastic change in Utah, the director ini-

tially wanted a “grand opening.” But after the COVID-19 pan-

controlled through the state.”

cary, believes medical cannabis will change the way Utahns think about drug addiction, medication and illness.

“It’s just another, safer option for people,” Warner said. “I see

demic spread throughout the country and Gov. Gary Herbert

it as for people who are struggling with alcoholism or addicted

home and not gather in groups of more than 10 people, Perfect

Before moving to Utah and working in the medical cannabis

issued a “stay home, stay safe” directive asking people to stay Earth Director of Operations Tim Pearl said “this works.”

Pearl said the opening came after months of delays and

awaited excitement for Utah patients.

“People have been waiting for this to open for a long time,”

he said. “We’ve had to push back a few times because of the virus.”

Kirschbaun said the pharmacy is beneficial to him because

to opiates, it’s something for them to try and use instead.”

industry, Warner worked as a pharmacist in Arizona where he learned about other psychoactive medications.

“The cool thing about (cannabis) is nobody fully understands

it yet,” he said. “It was kind of cool to have a medication I’ve

never learned about before and I just was able to basically try it out on my own.”

Similar to how medications are treated in mainstream phar-

he suffers from chronic pain and cannot take opioids due to

macies, Warner’s job as a cannabis pharmacist is to ensure pa-

“I don’t like pills,” he said. “It’s an alternative to opioids, it’s

“We meet with each patient before they can buy anything,”

a fatty liver.

not habit forming and it’s natural.”

tients know how to use their medication safely and effectively. he said. “Patients will come in and we’ll discuss what they’ve

PHOTO BY Jeff Chiu/Associated Press FILE - In this June 21, 2018, file photo, a laboratory manager holds a cannabis sample in Oakland, Calif. Utah lawmakers are expected to meet Monday, Dec. 3, and pass changes to a voter-approved ballot measure legalizing medical marijuana, a plan that was announced as a broad compromise but has since generated backlash.

tried in the past and then transition them to the medical part, if they’ve never tried it, we’ll go over some safety stuff.”

Up to Dec. 31, patients can bring a letter from their physi-

cian as documentation for their local cannabis pharmacy. But beginning January 2021, patients will need to obtain a medi-

cal cannabis card from a medical provider registered with the Utah Department of Health in order to purchase medical cannabis.

—alisonberg28@gmail.com @alison_berg

OWTC student sells masks to help the homeless

By Lance Johnson FOR THE UTAH STATESMAN

An Ogden-Weber Technical College student is funding her

effort to provide homeless Utahns with food and protective masks by selling her homemade masks to those who can afford it.

“I initially funded the project myself, unsure if it would be a

one-time thing,” said Brittanya Blanck, the 22-year-old student

behind the project. “But more people wanted to get involved, donate, and it has gotten a lot bigger.”

Blanck’s bags for the homeless consist of face masks, gloves,

water, sandwiches, fruit, granola bars, and other miscellaneous essentials that she is able to afford.

The service project was developed after another project at

Habitat for Humanity was shut down due to COVID-19 restrictions.

“That night I was thinking of what I am going to do now,”

Blanck said. “I remembered that my grandma, who recently passed away, had a lot of fabric that my grandpa was willing to give me.”

That same night she looked up face mask patterns and began

sewing masks for the homeless.

PHOTO COURTESY OF Lance Johsnon

“The next day I went out to buy bread, peanut butter, jelly,

servation Corps, the Catholic Community Services food bank

shut down,” Blanck said. “They are not getting the food they

donated a bunch of gloves and masks, which we are able to

member of AmeriCorps, a voluntary civil society program,

to cook for them. It has really taken a big impact on them.”

fruit and Emergen-C,” Blanck said. “I have a friend who also use while my masks were still being finished.”

She dropped off the first batch of prepared bags to the Volun-

teers of America Homeless Youth Resource Center in Salt Lake City, and surrounding areas.

“My first response was to help the kids,” Blanck said. “We

then went to Pioneer Park and ran through the streets looking for homeless people to give bags to. It was really cool to see everyone so excited to get the bags.”

and the Canyon View School Life program. She has also been

since September 2019. Her college training has provided her with carpentry and construction skills that she’s used to help build homeless housing through Habitat for Humanity.

Since launching last week, Blanck has prepared more than

260 bags for the homeless. She hopes to double that in the coming weeks.

Blanck understands what it is like to be unhoused.

“I was homeless between 14-15 years old, up until I was 20

That excitement fueled her desire to keep making more bags,

years old,” Blanck said. “I initially tried to couch surf, but ulti-

selling additional masks for $7 each to friends and other peo-

Her experience is the reason she wants to be an additional

but she needed additional funding—so she began sewing and ple in her community.

Blanck also asked friends to help spread the word across the

social media platforms she does not use, including Twitter and

mately became homeless.”

source of help for those who are unaware or unable to utilize other resources.

could do to help her.”

Trueba agreed, and said service is a part of who Brittanya is.

“She’s stepping up in a legitimate time of need to help others,

when most people are focused on how they can help them-

selves,” Trueba said. “She’s the type to give away anything she

of my friends were.”

Blanck eventually found support in a friend who allowed her

She hopes others will be inspired to volunteer and help in

their communities, but also recognized the importance of selfcare.

“People are worried about themselves and their family,”

Blanck said. “Which is important, you can’t help others if you are not in a place to.”

Blanck expressed gratitude for all donations and volunteers

safer during COVID-19 — and after.

nity,” Blanck said. “I want the homeless to know that they are cared for and valuable.”

Individuals interested in mask orders and volunteer oppor-

to stay with her for four months.

tunities can contact Blanck at brittanyablanckpolitical@gmail.

to be able to afford my own place,” Blanck said. “I also found

Venmo account, @BrittanyaBlanck. Updates on the project are

“I was able to get a job at a bakery and saved all my money

a program that allowed me to get my high school education, a full diploma.”

COVID-19 uncertainty has affected the number of volunteers

has to help someone else, regardless of her situation. If she has

showing up to help feed the homeless, and displacement has

Blanck has a history of service, volunteering at Youth Con-

“Homeless people are being displaced from shelters having to

something to give she will.”

running water. They can’t wash their hands.”

“This has all helped me better myself and better my commu-

scared they would put me into the foster care system like a lot

is the best way to spread what she is doing, it was the least I

ple realize that. Many homeless people don’t have access to

I didn’t know resources were there to help. I was always so

shared the project with their own followers.

selfless in such a terrifying time,” Pachuca said. “Social media

“Social distancing is a privilege,” Blanck said. “It means you

have a home and running water, and I don’t think a lot of peo-

“I never utilized any state programs or anything like that,

though I should have,” Blanck said. “I wasn’t that informed.

“It’s amazing what she is doing for the community, to be so

Blanck hopes people recognize the gift that is the ability to

social distance.

helping in her mission to make homeless Utahn’s a little bit

Facebook.

Chelsie Pachuca and Anthony Trueba were among those who

normally were, and a lot of people have stopped volunteering

also put unhoused people at even greater risk.

com, and financial contributions can be made via Blanck’s

available via Blanck’s Instagram Story at https://www.instagram.com/brittanyablanck. @LanceWritesTV

WEEK OF APRIL 14, 2020

PAGE 3

STUDENT LIFE

Meet your Senator - Alex Lyons Laying foundation for the College of Science

By Sydney Dahle STUDENT LIFE CONTENT MANAGER

Junior Alex Lyons has al-

ways shown courage and determination in everything he

did, and applying for Science Senator at Utah State University was no different. Even

now, at the end of his term, Lyons has taken the reins during the COVID-19 pandemic to help the students he

@alison_berg

represents.

Although he’s lived in a

In true 2020 fashion, here’s a photo of your 2020-2021 @UtahStateSA officers being sworn in via zoom.

number of places, Lyons calls Logan his home. An avid runner and skier, Lyons spent his first two years at Utah State

on the track and field team

before moving his academic career toward planning out a

future in medicine. Originally majoring in bioengineering, Lyons switched to biochemis-

try which put him on a direct path toward medical school.

One thing that interested him was undergraduate research, but finding out how to start was difficult.

“I was having a difficult time

finding where to go, who to get in contact and finding the

PHOTO COURTESY OF USUSA

route to get to undergraduate

Alex Lyons is serving as the 2019-2020 College of Science senator.

the idea of running for sen-

main objectives covered vol-

tackle these different issues.

how to get started in con-

couldn’t be the only person in

munity involvement, events

a smooth path from college

a name for himself extending

“I heard about the senator

entertaining, as well as a

would be the chance to im-

uate research to graduate

cy,” he said, “so, I decided to

“I wanted to come up with

research,” Lyons said. Then

The main goal was creating

ator came to him. Surely he

unteer opportunities, com-

this position.

that were both academic and

position and thought this

clear track from undergrad-

plement changes in the poli-

school or occupation.

ator has been spent doing

run for it hoping to provide a

ways I could give back to

events were held often to

In addition, his platform’s

“so I split up my council to

clearer track to research.”

the community,” Lyons said,

graduate to career and create

more viable candidates for jobs.”

His year as the science sen-

ducting research. Lyons made a hand to the students he rep-

out for help through email,

I know things are pretty bad right now, but do you remember when everyone in high school was obsessed with Duck Dynasty?

office hours or at the mingles.

According to Ryan Jack-

just that. “Research Mingle”

son, an assistant professor

introduce faculty to students

pressed students and faculty

and help them understand

@tmonson23

resented. Many would reach

of chemistry, Lyons has im-

What was going on then???

see “Lyons” PAGE 5

Thank you, professors

By Emily White STUDENT LIFE STAFF WRITER

Dear Professors at USU,

During these troubled times,

I’ve found it helpful for me to look for the good in my life.

There are so many good things in my life, and I’ve taken them

for granted. While the outbreak of COVID-19 has taken

a toll on my education at Utah State University, I have been overwhelmed by the positive

reactions my professors have had through these unexpected

changes. So, here’s to every

professor here at Utah State University.

Professors, I am fully aware

that you had big plans for this semester and I know

that most of those plans have been squashed into oblivion because of the universi-

ty shutting down. I know it

was (and still is) so difficult to course-correct your way

GRAPHIC COURTESY OF Prateek Katyal

make your class accessible to

semesters. It’s disappointing

ple. Thank you for putting up

loading lectures and recitation

Working with literature is dif-

I’m sorry it’s been like that.

get a lot of credit or attention,

erything to the students here

easily accessible. Thank you

to class, but your work has

your students.

to me that our educators don’t

with everything and giving ev-

through this and move half of

I’m sorry this semester has

must be incredibly frustrating

to glue back together. Most

working tirelessly for us and

enough credit for all the hard

you for getting an education

of kindness and well wishes.

dreds and thousands of peo-

memes. Thank you for up-

your classes online. I know it

for each of you to watch your students lose interest in school work, especially after all the hard work you’ve done to

been a disaster you’ve had

of all, I’m sorry you don’t get work you have done, not only

this semester but in previous

as I’m sure it is for you.

So, thank you. Thank you for

for all of your students. Thank so that you can benefit hun-

at USU. The love and care you

put into your job shows and is appreciated greatly.

Thank you for your emails

Thank you for your jokes and

pages on Canvas so they are

for working with each of your students to ensure we can

grasp the difficult concepts in your course.

Thank you for figuring out

how to workshop and discuss your students’ work online.

ficult to do without coming made it doable. Thank you for

your flexibility with due dates.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for giving us the best you can give.

Sincerely,

Your grateful students at USU

PAGE 4

WEEK OF APRIL 14, 2020

SPORTS

The waiting game USU football players continue to train while wondering if the 2020 season will happen

By Jacob Nielson SPORTS STAFF WRITER

Thursday was when Utah State football’s annual

blue and white spring game was supposed to take place, but Maverick Stadium remained empty.

With the fight to contain the COVID-19 pan-

demic continuing, spring football is one of the casualties, and the 2020 college football season is hanging in the balance.

Missing the spring season has been difficult for

the Aggie football team, but especially for the seniors.

“I’m upset about it,” said senior linebacker Kev-

in Meitzenheimer. “I feel like due to going back to a new defense, switching over to a new offense, we needed it as a team so we could better ourselves for the future.”

Senior wide receiver Jordan Nathan shared a

similar sentiment.

“Just not being on the field, getting a better

chemistry for the team and the coaches and stuff like that, I feel like it came at a bad time,” Nathan said.

The Aggies are replacing coordinators on both

sides of the ball. Bodie Reeder — previously the

offensive coordinator at the University of North

Texas — is taking over the reins of the offense.

Frank Maile and Stacy Collins, both entering their fourth year as USU coaches, will be co-defensive coordinators. No time is ideal to have

practice cancelled, but when USU is overhauling

its entire system, that can put a team weeks or months behind schedule.

But the players have been diligent in learning

their new offense and new defense from inside their homes.

“We have our Zoom meetings and FaceTime

calls and making sure that I dive into my playbook at least once a day,” Nathan said.

Nathan, who has been recovering from a shoul-

der injury, has committed to be a leader of the team as all the uncertainty swirls around.

“I just reassure them that the season’s still com-

ing up, that we still have plans, we still have goals to accomplish,” he said. “Just because you’re at

home doesn’t mean you wake up at 12 o’clock in the afternoon and go to sleep at 2 o’clock in the

morning. Still go through your routine so when

PHOTO BY Cameo Tamala

you get back you’re already ready to go.”

USU linebacker Kevin Metzenheimer (33) closes in on a BYU player in the Aggies’ game on Nov. 2.

Cache Valley” and working out as much as he can

team, we didn’t have a lot of chemistry,” Nathan

“We do 45-pound plates, some curls, situps,

But with a new offensive system and a new

last season, not playing a full season because it’s

could be a great year — especially since Nathan

of it,” he said. “It would be extremely, extremely

Meitzenheimer said he is “safe and sound in

to be ready for the season.

said.

anything I can do around the house,” he said,

quarterback in Henry Colombi, he feels like this

grass so I can just do a little bit of footwork, and

has his eyes on the Mountain West Conference

“then going outside, finding different patches of run here and there.”

Both players have endured hills and valleys over

their careers and have high expectations for their final season in the Aggie blue.

“Last year I don’t feel like we weren’t really a

championship.

“Henry Columbi would throw the ball to me

a lot more than Jordan [Love] would,” he said.

Meitzinheimer has the same goal in mind.

“Number one goal is the Mountain West Cham-

my senior year and I want to get everything out heartbreaking for me and my teammates not to be able to play a full season.”

Mountain West spokesperson Stuart Buchanaon

said of the situation, “At this time, it is premature to do an interview since the situation is so fluid.”

Missing some — or all — of the fall football sea-

son could prove to be very costly. With its athletic

have to be played. So what is the best course of

same, Utah State heavily depends on the money

action to get the athletes on the football field

safe and healthy, ideally by the Sept. 5 opener at home against Washington State?

“The dream of mine would be to come back

June 1 and have nine to 12 days where we can

have an NFL style mini-camp,” Head coach Gary

Anderson said in a recent interview. “My biggest fear is that if we don’t get them back here by June

1 is the injuries will go through the roof, and that scares me.”

And if June 1 is not a possibility Anderson said,

“We need to take a long hard look at cutting back PHOTO BY Chantelle McCall

“I don’t really want to think about not having a

pionship for sure. I really, really want that bad.”

But in order to achieve that goal, football will

Utah State football wide receiver Jordan Nathan talks to the media before the Frisco Bowl on Dec. 20.

Nathan is not too keen on that idea.

the number of games that these kids are going to play this year.”

department’s revenues and expenses roughly the the football team rakes in. Under the Mountain West’s new TV deal with CBS and Fox Sports, USU is expected to receive $4 million in reve-

nue. But if the number of games is reduced, that

amount will likely go down. And as reported by the Salt Lake Tribune, the Aggies are already going to lose $600,000 they normally get from the

NCAA, which is reducing their financial distribu-

tion to schools by 67.5% due to the $800 million lost from not having the Men’s NCAA basketball tournament.

—jacobnielson12@yahoo.com @jacobnielson12

Abel Porter commits to Ohio State

By Jason Walker SENIOR SPORTS WRITER

Former Utah State point guard Abel Por-

ter, who entered the transfer portal in early March, has announced he will play his next and final basketball season at Ohio State University.

State, Porter was given a place alongside

combo guards at his disposal. Marco Antho-

one more recruiting slot to fill and could use

faam.

with the team, the latter even having on-

bolster his depth in that area.

Sam Merrill, Diogo Brito and Roche Groot-

Without Porter, head coach Craig Smith

has just one point guard on his 2020-21 ros-

ter — incoming freshman Steven Ashworth — though he does have a healthy stable of

ny and Sean Bairstow both have experience

court experience last year as point guard.

Another incoming freshman, Rollie Worster,

could split his minutes between the guard spots if needed. Smith does have at least

it to find a more natural point guard and

—jasonswalker94@gmail.com @thejwalk67

The former walk-on earned a spot in the

starting lineup during one of the greatest two-year runs in USU basketball history, one in which the Aggies won their first regular

season Mountain West championship and took home back-to-back conference tour-

nament titles. During his time as a starter — dating back to the middle of the 2018-

19 season — Porter averaged 6.5 points,

3.4 assists and 2.8 rebounds with shooting percentages of 40.2 overall and 36.4 from three.

In just his second start, Porter made his

impact felt with a game-winning 3-point shot against New Mexico. It was after that

game, the Farmington native was given a scholarship. He later stepped up in the 2019 Mountain West Conference Tournament, averaging 9.7 points while making 62.5% of his 3-point attempts.

This past season, the Aggies treated Porter,

who was a junior in terms of eligibility, as though he were a senior in both word and

action. On senior night against San Jose

At the final home game for USU Men’s Basketball junior Abel Porter was honored in the spectrum before USU’s game against SJSU on Feb. 2.

PHOTO BY Iain Laurence

WEEK OF APRIL 14, 2020

PAGE 5

pact Cache Valley long term,

mitigate the negative ones.

problems with inversions.

tell. But he said if shutdowns

ple pause to think a bit more

geographical bowl structure.

could see reduced concen-

we can decrease the negative

lives along the Wasatch Front,

ozone layer acts as a shield

all sides, creating a “bowl.”

“ground-level” ozone is bad

trapped in the valley, which,

mans.

everyone to “swim in their

sure to ozone levels of great-

breathe in pollutants stuck in

for 8 hours or longer is un-

“Because winter is over, it’s

said, generally “bumps right

if the effects of coronavirus

added having people stay in-

linings, and the silver lining

sion,” he said, “however, it

ly traveling during summer

driving is a major problem for

in other ways.”

how driving habits impact the

“Air” FROM PAGE 1

Martin said it’s too soon to

Inversions are the result of a

continue into summer, we

Most of Utah’s population

trations of ozone.While the

surrounded by mountains on

for earth, direct contact with

During the winter cold air is

for plants, animals and hu-

according to Martin, causes

According to the EPA, expo-

own soup,” or constantly

er than 70 parts per billion

the valley.

healthy. Cache Valley, Martin

going to be difficult to see

up against that number.” He

have any impact on inver-

side when they are general-

does impact us significantly

months will tell us a lot about

Martin says the Utah De-

partment of Transportation

ozone layer.

Blair Larsen, a Geoscience

has reported a 25-30% reduc-

Education professor at USU,

since people started staying

effects on the environment

“As with most things, if peo-

before they take action, then effects and increase the pos-

itive effects,” she said. “For example, as we spend time

hiking nearby trails, we can

appreciate their beauty and resolve to maintain them better in the future.”

Despite the good that may

come to Cache Valley from

better air quality, Martin said he “certainly doesn’t want to pin a rose on the situation.”

“We need to look at silver

here is we have proof that the environment.”

He added the main thing we

should take from this is how to balance economic interest with environmental interests.

tion statewide in emissions

agrees there may be positive

home. Also, the state previ-

because of the virus.

tions to reduce overall pol-

trial emissions are down for

for her fellow college stu-

less of pollutants be emitted

leads to better air quality and

normal, be careful.

because people are staying at

said. “At the same time, the

about road trips and all the

tin said, we are now doing

focus on the benefits of their

everywhere once the crisis is

day.

ties, which in general is prob-

ously implemented restric-

“Air pollution and indus-

lution by requiring 1.6 tons

a number of sectors, which

in the air every day. However,

overall public health,” Larsen

home and not traveling, Mar-

pandemic is forcing people to

3.1 tons less of pollutants per

local recreation opportuni-

“Basically, we are currently

doing almost twice what the state requires of us,” he said.

In terms of how this will im-

ably a good thing.”

Larsen did say, however,

the positive effects of the

COVID-19 crisis should not

“Streaming” FROM PAGE 1

“If we can learn to drive less

and balance this out, it will be a good thing going forward.”

Burgess also had a message

dents: once life gets back to

“People are already talking

fun plans they have to drive

past,” she said. “We can’t go

crazy or else we will be right back where we started.”

—taylorcripe@gmail.com @cripe_taylor

“I think we have all learned to hold the

friends we make in college a little more dear

create something that will be truly unforget-

to our heart,” she said. “Sometimes we take

“There are opportunities that can rise from

pandemic has helped us realize the things in

table.

for granted that college is so fleeting. This

drastic change. It’s up to us to hone in on

life that matter most to us. I’m happy to see

them,” Benson said. “We have learned that we

Logan City Limits will be livestreamed on

those opportunities and make the best of

that for many, Utah State is one of them.”

have the capability to rally around a concept

YouTube, Facebook and Instagram Live @ag-

and make it into a reality in less than a week.

Most organizations don’t have the luxury of [that].”

Benson also said the pandemic is making stu-

dents more aware of the community environment fostered by USU.

gieradio on April 17 at 7 p.m. MST. @maggiemattinson

“Robins” FROM PAGE 1

dent in 1949. He was also the

primary visionary of the Tag-

vidual goals, as well as the goals of USU.

memorialize

gart Student Center. Students

Nu at Utah State who served

honored for their hard work

Awards coverage can be found

to the new senator. Hopefully,

the election for Executive

alike. They met during Ly-

events in the future.” Addi-

hasn’t let it get him down.

research, and Jackson was

has continued to send out

people at Utah State,” he

his excitement for science

informed and motivated to

involved as I can. I’ll join the

Lyons has continued to help

universal skill organizations

helps others who want to

Science Senator Noah Brae-

I might even try to run for

He keeps his word. I’m very

trying to keep things as “nor-

year or try again for Student

tions he makes to Utah State

push his agenda until the end

One of the most important

working closing with Brae-

his mark at USU.

on the academic fund coun-

smooth transition.

cause he cares. When he talks

senators are required to sit

has kept busy, even during

about the things they strug-

able to gain insight about the

complained.

on him. He wishes there was

their requests for research

ing type of guy. He wants peo-

do better rather than what

the peak of the COVID-19

okay with knowing he’s got

said. “He trusts in other peo-

ing sure the students he rep-

ed him— he’s humble about

of.

very well in school. It’s been

putting in the same amount

things set in place for the

ful with and he’s grateful. He

ed. After all, he’s got plenty of

had a couple of events that

In fact, he struggles when

just as he roots for theirs.

coronavirus, which is unfor-

assistance to help them be

keep the ideas for the events,

it’s about the others around

so all that information can go

Although he recently lost

The

awards

William E. Robins, a Sigma

and faculty at Utah State are

as USU’s student body presi-

and dedication to their indi-

“Lyons” FROM PAGE 3

Editor’s Note: Further Robins

at www.usustatesman.com

he will be able to run those

Student Vice President, Lyons

on’s quest to get involved in

tionally, the science council

“I want to continue to help

immediately impressed with

newsletters to keep students

said.“I will continue to stay as

and desire to learn.

continue working hard.

science council again. I’ll join

sponsible,” Jackson said “He

out the 2020-2021 USUSA

and apply for the fee board.

work hard and be successful.

ger during the pandemic,

student body president next

excited to see what contribu-

mal” as possible. Rather than

VP. I’m not done yet.”

in the future.”

of his term, Lyons has been

vinced he’ll continue to make

parts of Lyons’ job was sitting

ger to make sure there is a

“One way or another, be-

cil. Although all the college

Alex’s father, Trek, said Alex

about his friends, he talks

on said council, Lyons was

the pandemic, but he hasn’t

gle with. It weighs heavily

students that were presenting

“Alex is a genuine, outstand-

a way he could help them

funding. Even now, amidst

ple to be successful and he’s

makes him successful,” Trek

pandemic, Lyons is still mak-

certain skills that have bless-

ple. He does. He really does.”

resents are being taken care

it,” Trek said. “He’s done

until the end of the semester,

“I’ve been trying to get

something he’s been success-

of work he did when he start-

next senator,” Lyons said. “We

wants others to be successful.

people rooting for his success,

got canceled because of the

he can’t help or be of some

tunate, of course, but we did

successful. It isn’t about him;

kept everything documented,

him.”

“Alex is inquisitive and re-

In fact, his father is con-

Lyons will continue to serve

—sydney.dahle@aggiemail.

usu.edu

@dillydahle

you are what you read

Editor’s note: Maggie Mattinson also works as

Aggie Radio’s Programming Director.

We’ve got your back. usustatesman.com

UtahStatesman web print

smart

PAGE 6

WEEK OF APRIL 14, 2020

OPINION

GRAPHIC BY Keith Wilson

The opinions expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect those held by the graphic designer.

The benefits of voice messaging while texting

By Kristian Fors OPINION COLUMNIST

hear the sender simply telling

it may sound, voice messaging

mood. Hearing an actual voice

tended to immediately. When-

were in a conversation, and

came to love voice messaging

texting. It is much easier to

easily detect sarcasm and

an adult while growing up, I

Through experimenting with

me how her day was. I quickly

While it isn’t typically the

because of the numerous ben-

voice messaging is very pop-

My good friend and fellow

can be more convenient than talk for a minute or two than

norm in the United States,

efits associated with it.

ular in many parts of Europe.

Statesman

people will often press the mi-

has “the benefits of a phone

many messaging apps and re-

text.” This is the most apt de-

studying abroad, I was taken

saging is so great: you get the

much more personal than tex-

a voice message. In nervous

-based interaction without the

voice allows the recipient to

minute-long recording, only

a long phone call.

writer

Samuel

Instead of texting each other,

Paepke said voice messaging

crophone button included in

call with the flexibility of a

cord themselves. While I was

scription of why voice mes-

aback the first time I received

benefits of electronic speech

anticipation, I opened a two-

burden of having to commit to

to be pleasantly surprised to

In fact, as counterintuitive as

to type out multiple para-

graphs. It allows the recorder

to convey lots of information very quickly. And, just like a text, the recipient can decide to listen and respond at their leisure.

Recording yourself is also

enables the listener to more

other more nuanced forms of expression. It’s wonderful to be able to hear someone

actually laugh in response to a joke that you make. In oth-

er words, voice messaging is great because it maintains the human element in human interaction.

wrong. Perhaps voice record-

ings can be a way for those

who value the human element of phone calls to communicate in the way they please, while reserving phone calls for more urgent needs.

Voice messaging can be a

voice messaging, you’ll hope-

fully be able to discover a new form of efficient communica-

tion that connects you more closely with the people you

care about, in the modern information age.

Kristian Fors is a student at

little uncomfortable at first.

Utah State University majoring

written forms of communica-

doing a theater audition. You

and is an opinion columnist for

certain level of urgency that

sense the emotions behind

tion do not. Unless a call is

them to gauge the sender’s

always knew something was

don’t listen to recordings.

In my own life, calling has a

ting. Listening to someone’s

someone’s words. It allows

ever I received a call from

preplanned, I usually assume that calls I receive need to be

It will likely feel like you’re

may also be afraid to listen to the sound of your own voice.

Just speak normally as if you

in Economics and Philosophy the Utah Statesman. He can be reached at krfors@gmail.com.

Ally: Canvas’ accessibility tool

By Taelor Candiloro OPINION EDITOR

Chances are you’re not sit-

ting through your 9 a.m. lec-

ture course anymore. Or, if you are, you’re on your couch in your pajamas. Now that

most of our coursework has become digital, we’re collectively adjusting to new meth-

ods of learning and teaching.

Students and faculty alike

are learning new skills and discovering what works and what doesn’t. Canvas, our current platform for online

learning, is built to facilitate

this shift in ways we may not have been aware of previous-

ly. Because some of us might

and using Ally. When Ally has

version of the file. You can

viding some flexibility during

(CAPS) is offering some ser-

vas and its utility, I want to go

it automatically makes alter-

mats by simply clicking on

ficult to adapt to. If you’re

you can access remotely – all

not be as familiar with Can-

over a key feature that could help alleviate the stress of the unknown.

Ally is the fancy name for

a file conversion feature in Canvas. While the purpose of

this feature is to make coursework more accessible for stu-

dents with visual, audial or learning impairments, we can all benefit from making online content more accessible.

been applied to the course, native files available to students in that course. The file

formats that Ally can produce from a single downloadable

file are limited by the original file format that your professor

like. Ally’s website has stepby-step instructions for the download process, too.

Want to get out and go for

trouble with the download,

problem. The Ally feature al-

specific format or are having

reach out to your professor or the CIDI office.

Ally allows us to download

has webpages for both stu-

mats. An alternative format

the basics of implementing

and choosing the format you

a jog but you’ve got a ton

files posted by our instructors

dents and faculty that go over

the grey arrow beside that file

posts. However, if you need a

USU’s Center for Innovative

Design & Instruction (CIDI)

access these alternative for-

in various alternative forcan be anything from electronic braille to a translated

of readings to get done? No

a time that might seem dif-

struggling to structure your

time, to get schoolwork done, or have questions, remember that there are people here at

USU that care about your success. Ally is just one of many

reminders that we’re all in this together.

Adapting to academic life

lows you to download those

during the Coronavirus has

mat so that you can listen

of us, and if you’re strug-

pesky PDF’s in an audio for-

to them while keeping your hands and eyes free. This is especially helpful now that

I’m at home constantly due to

been an adjustment for all gling with this shift, you’re

not alone. USU’s Counseling

vices through Telehealth that

you have to do is call the CAPS number like normal.

The statement released by

CAPS also includes a number of other community resources

that you can take advantage of during this time as well.

Taelor Candiloro is a transfer student at USU studying anthropology. Her interests include traveling, and writing about and researching politics, public policy and the American identity.

and Psychological Services

COVID-19 restrictions. Being

able to do my dishes and my homework at the same time

is a gamechanger. Translated files are also a great resource if English isn’t your first lan-

guage or you want to practice your reading comprehension in another language.

Canvas’

Ally

accessibility

feature can help alleviate the SCREENSHOT COURTESY OF Instructure

stresses of this shift by pro-

SCREENSHOT COURTESY OF Instructure

WEEK OF APRIL 14, 2020

PAGE 7

since 1902

STUDENT MEDIA

Student-run newspaper for Utah State University since 1902. Reporting online 24/7. Printed each Tuesday of the school year.

THE BOARD Alek Nelson managing editor

editor@usustatesman.com 435-797-1742

—————— Alison Berg news manager TO PLAY: Complete the grid so that every row, column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9. There is no guessing or math involved, just use logic to solve.

news@usustatesman.com

—————— Dalton Renshaw sports manager

SOLUTION FOR : 04/07/2020

sports@usustatesman.com

—————— Sydney Dahle student life manager life@usustatesman.com

—————— Daedan Olander opinion manager

opinion@usustatesman. com

—————— Savannah Knapp design manager

design@usustatesman.com

—————— Chantelle McCall photo manager

CLASSIFIED ADS Automotive

Miscellaneous

DONATE YOUR CAR TO UNITED BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION! Your donation helps education, prevention & support programs.

FAST FREE PICKUP - 24 HR RESPONSE - TAX DEDUCTION 1-855-507-2691

ENJOY 100% Perfectly Tender and Guaranteed!

20 Main Courses PLUS get 4 FREE Burgers Order The Butcher's Bundle - ONLY $69.99. Call 1-855-963-1321 mention code:61086ZEB or visit www.omahasteaks.com/ dinner138

DONATE YOUR CAR, TRUCK OR BOAT TO HERITAGE FOR THE BLIND. Free 3 Day Vacation, Tax Deductible, Free Towing, All Paperwork Taken Care Of. CALL 1-855408-2196 Donate your car, truck or van. Help veterans find jobs or start a business. Call Patriotic Hearts Foundation.

Fast, FREE pick-up. Max tax-deduction. Operators are standing by! Call 1-866-9833647 Building Materials METAL ROOF/WALL Panels, Pre-engineered Metal Buildings. Mill prices for sheeting coil are at a 4 year low. You get the savings. 17 Colors prime material, cut to your exact length. CO Building Systems 1-800-COBLDGS Health & Nutrition Portable Oxygen Concentrator May Be Covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 877691-4639

Hale Groves? Spring Basket Box ? oranges fresh from the grove, delicious cookies and candies delivered to your door! Only $29.99 plus FREE Shipping! Great gift for Easter and Mother?s Day! Call 1-855-993-5470 to order item 836 or visit halegroves. com/MB00085 (Mention promo code SPG20 for free shipping.)

DISH Network. $59.99 for 190 Channels! Blazing Fast Internet, $19.99/mo. (where available.) Switch & Get a FREE $100 Visa Gift Card.

FREE Voice Remote. FREE HD DVR. FREE Streaming on ALL Devices. Call today!

1-866-360-6959 INVENTORS - FREE INFORMATION PACKAGE Have your product idea developed affordably by the Research & Development pros and presented to manufacturers.

Call 1-877-649-5574 for a Free Idea Starter Guide.

Submit your idea for a free consultation.

DIRECTV - Switch and Save! $39.99/month. Select All-Included Package. 155 Channels. 1000s of Shows/Movies

photo@usustatesman.com

On Demand. FREE Genie HD DVR Upgrade. Premium movie channels, FREE for 3 mos! Call 1-833-599-6474

­­— ————— Klaus VanZanten video manager

COMIC BY Steve Weller

video@usustatesman.com

HughesNet Satellite Internet - 25mbps starting at $49.99/ mo! Get More Data FREE Off-Peak Data. FAST download speeds. WiFi built in!

FREE Standard Installation for lease customers! Limited Time, Call 1-844-294-9882

HAVE A STORY TIP OR IDEA? CONTACT OUR NEWSROOM:

435-797-1775 OR EMAIL:

Earthlink High Speed Internet. As Low As $14.95/ month (for the first 3 months.) Reliable High Speed Fiber Optic Technology. Stream Videos, Music and More! Call Earthlink Today 1-844-240-1769

EDITOR@USUSTATESMAN.COM

DIRECTV NOW. No Satellite Needed. $40/month. 65 Channels. Stream Breaking News, Live Events, Sports & On Demand Titles. No Annual Contract. No Commitment.

CALL 1-844-435-3985 Personals Meet singles right now! No paid operators, just real people like you. Browse greetings, exchange messages and connect live. Try it free. Call now: 844-400-8738 Yard & Landscaping Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 15% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-844-9092398

/UtahStatesman

Dental Insurance Get the dental care you deserve with dental insurance from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. It can help cover the services you’re most likely to use —

Cleanings

X-rays

Fillings

Crowns

Dentures

Preventive care starts right away Helps cover over 350 services

MRCOOL DIY® Air Conditioner & Heater You Can Install Yourself

Go to any dentist you want – but save more with one in our network No deductible, no annual maximum

Call now to get this FREE Information Kit!

EASY DIY INSTALLATION NO SPECIAL TOOLS REQUIRED ENERGY EFFICIENT

CALL 877-393-2683

1-888-919-4729 dental50plus.com/utah Product not available in all states. Includes the Participating Providers and Preventive Benefits Rider. Acceptance guaranteed for one insurance policy/certificate of this type.

Contact us for complete details about this insurance solicitation. This specific offer is not available in CO, NY; call 1-888-799-4433 or respond for similar offer. Certificate C250A (ID: C250E; PA: C250Q); Insurance Policy P150 (GA: P150GA; NY: P150NY; OK: P150OK; TN: P150TN). Rider kinds B438/B439.

6154-0120

PAGE 8

WEEK OF APRIL 14, 2020