Student section for sale
By Ashley Dorius STATESMAN REPORTER
On Thursday, athletics & campus recreation executive director
Dallin Wilson shared there are now cuts to student seating in Maverik Stadium.
In a statement said to The Utah Statesman and posted to his X account, Wilson wrote, “I am extremely disappointed in the decision of @USUAthletics leadership to take away 1,000 student seats from section 117 and 116 in Maverik Stadium. No students or faculty in student affairs or the student involvement office were consulted or even made aware of this decision. The @usuHURD is a key part of the gameday experience, and to take away seats permanently to profit off of one game shows how much the department values the HURD. I wish the leaders of the athletic department would have come to us to work on a mutually beneficial solution.”
“It’ll be frustrating to see students turned away,” Wilson said. “Even if they can find seats for them, they won’t be in the student section, which drastically impacts their experience.”
Wilson discussed the possibility of getting tickets back.
“I know that, at least in section 116, they started opening those tickets up to be sold, so there’s no way to get those back,” Wilson said. “We were hoping that we could retain all of Section 117 for student tickets, and we’ve been told that that’s not possible for the Utah game, and they’ve made no promises about games after that.”
Wilson also said that there are rumors the same cuts could happen with student seating in the Spectrum.
He shared the impact this will have on games.
“One of the things that makes the HURD unique is the complete wall of students across that entire east sideline,” Wilson said. “So it’s disappointing to see that that will be cut almost in half. I think it’s going to affect the impact that we can have on the game.”
Wilson, also the HURD president, said he and other students first noticed there was a change in student seating at the Robert Morris game.
“A lot of people started to notice that it looked like the student section had shrunk a little bit, and that is true,” Wilson said. “After meeting with the athletics department, we have been able to confirm … a loss of about 1,000 tickets that were reserved for students in a pretty prime location of the field.”
Students may not be able to attend larger games, such as the upcoming historically well-attended game against University of Utah, without reserving seats. Even if students are given seats leftover after sales, they won’t be with the student section, which Wilson said changes their time at the game. At the time of writing, the general tickets to the game are not sold out.
PHOTOS BY Jack Burton
Section 117 post-change to student seating policy at USU football game against Robert Morris on Aug. 31 at Maverik Stadium.
Section 117 at the most recent home game on Aug. 31 at Maverik Stadium.
Ashley Dorius is a sophomore studying journalism. She is a registered voter.
Cache Valley Remembers project commemorates 9/11
By Essence Barnes STATESMAN REPORTER
On Sept. 11, 2001, the United States of America fell victim to one of the deadliest terrorist attacks ever recorded in human history. Thousands of lives were lost, and even more lives were affected by the ongoing impacts of the tragedy.
According to a 2011 Pew Research study, roughly 75% of Americans said 9/11 continued to have a profound impact on their lives, even 10 years after the attack.
Amidst the devastation the country experienced, hope and perseverance have risen from the ashes. Local communities have found ways to comprehend the tragedy, commemorate the lives lost and inform future generations of the importance this period has had on American history.
Jennie Taylor, executive director of the Major Brent Taylor Foundation, started the Cache Valley Remembers: The 9/11 Project in 2021, on the 20th anniversary of the attack.
“ is named after my husband, who was a soldier killed in Afghanistan almost six years ago,” Taylor said. “Our foundation was born out of the tragedy of my husband’s death, and this project was born out of the tragedy of 9/11.”
Taylor and her family created the foundation as a way to turn their grief and loss into something positive, and they strive to do the same with The 9/11 Project.
The project’s event will be held from Sept. 11 to Sept. 14 at the Hanson Family Sports Complex. It will include a multi-sensory exhibition recounting the history of 9/11.
“We’re going to be turning the Hanson Family Sports Complex into a museum, an exhibit, a giant come to life field trip,” Taylor said. “You’re going to be able to walk through photo, audio and video experiences that really take you back to what happened.”
I want people who don’t look like each other, don’t think like each other, don’t worship like each other to come together.
— Jennie Taylor
The exhibit will include roughly 400 feet by eight feet murals, 20 televisions and a variety of audio clips that will show news coverage of the Twin Towers falling, phone calls to loved ones from passengers on Flight 93 and firsthand witness experiences of the attack.
“It’s very immersive and very emotional, but we want it to be forward thinking,” Taylor said.
The last day of the exhibition will include a 5K run/walk, where attendees can complete a 5K in honor of the firefighters and servicemen who lost their lives protecting others on 9/11.
“Our goal is to remind people not only of the tragic loss, but of the heroic response to that tragedy,” Taylor said.
Participants in the race will receive a photo bag and biography of one of the many firefighters who lost their lives in the attack.
“It’s a chance to really immerse yourself in history in a way that hopefully motivates your present day and your future activity,” Taylor said.
According to Taylor, a cornerstone of the event is encouraging participants to take what they have learned from this tragedy and turn it into positive acts of service.
“When we serve our community together, we can set aside some of our differences and focus on that unity,” Taylor said. “I want people who don’t look like each other, don’t think like each other, don’t worship like each other to come together.”
Essence Barnes is a student who can’t come to terms with deciding a major. She enjoys reading, writing and spending money she doesn’t have on coffee.
— a02413313@usu.edu
PHOTO BY Wyatt Merchant
Sign on Utah State campus to commemorate 9/11 as seen on Sept. 4, 2024.
Students respond to new textbook program
By Aubrey Holdaway STATESMAN REPORTER
On Aug. 26, 2024, a long line formed inside the USU Campus Store as students waited to pick up their textbooks for the new semester. The new semester brought the debut of Aggie Access, a flat-rate textbook program for undergraduate students that automatically charges students $250 to access all required textbooks.
According to the store’s website, “Digital books are delivered within Canvas, while all print books will be distributed by the Campus Store. Students can log in to Canvas to view program options, including how to opt out.”
The website also cites the main program benefits as predictability, convenience, academic success and sustainability.
Student opinions on the program vary widely, with some praising the convenience factor while others feel scammed.
Mia Dustin, a senior majoring in dietetics, feels that she benefits from the new program.
“I was a little hesitant about it at first because I just had to figure out if it was worth it money-wise,” Dustin said.
With the implementation of Aggie Access, books will no longer be available for rent, only for purchase.
“I’ll be able to have access to my books after the semester’s over, which was kind of the game changer because now I can keep them for future board exams,” Dustin said.
Aliyah Walker, a junior studying broadcast journalism, is less enthusiastic.
People
“It’s a large amount of money that just feels like an added, hidden fee,” Walker said. “I feel like it can be useful if you’re doing an online class, but ultimately I don’t feel like it’s super useful for in-person classes.”
Sydney Traveler, a sophomore studying biological engineering, was confused by the program.
“I was trying to look into it, and it was like, ‘If you have questions, click on this page.’” Traveler said. “I did, and it said ‘Error: page not found.’ So that was really great and helpful of them.”
For some students, the Aggie Access flat rate might be more expensive than buying books individually. In a thread posted to the subreddit r/usu, users express distaste for the new program. The author of the initial post wrote, “maybe it makes sense for someone but I never spent close to this amount in textbooks.”
Another user wrote “My worst semester in 5 years was ~$150 for textbooks and one of them I paid an extra
$40 for because I wanted a new one so I could keep it. The $250 is a rip off. Opt out.”
Traveler shared a similar sentiment. “In most of my classes, I don’t actually need the textbook or I can get it online for cheaper,” Traveler said. “I feel like you have to get five different textbooks to make it worth it, and most people don’t need that many.”
Some students feel that their classes have more required textbooks than in previous semesters. Will Jessop, a senior majoring in marketing, is among them.
“I’ve noticed an increased amount of textbooks that are needed in each class,” Jessop said. “Not that it’s the end of the world, but it was kind of interesting for me.”
Despite this, Jessop believes that Aggie Access is a good idea.
“I really loved going to TSC and picking up the one physical book I needed,” Jessop said. “They had it there ready to go. It was the most simple book pickup I’ve ever had.”
Textbooks are currently available through Canvas and the store. The deadline to opt out of Aggie Access is Sept. 16. For more information, visit the campus store website: www.usucampusstore.com/aggieaccess.
Aubrey Holdaway is a senior in print journalism. When she is not dealing with a copious amount of car trouble she is listenning to the band Pinegrove and reading her favorite book A Good Girls Guide to Murder.
— Aubrey.Holdaway@usu.edu
— Police dog Officer Zoomer was dispatched to do a routine safety check before Saturday’s football game.
— A report of a person using “ditch” water to wash a vehicle was made to USUPD. A USUPD officer was able to locate the individual and informed them discontinue using the water.
— A report of a phone scam in which the caller, who is a usu student, stated that they were calling to collect bail monies for a family member was arrested. A USUPD was able to locate the student.
— A USUPD officer discovered an individual experiencing a medical event. Emergency medical professionals and USUPD worked together to assist and transport the individual for medical treatment.
— USUPD Officers were called to investigate the report of a suspicious odor, thought to be marijuana. Officers performed a check of the area and were unable to detect a marijuana odor.
PHOTO BY Aubrey Holdaway
studying in the lower level of the Merrill-Cazier Library on Sept. 19, 2023.
Why are USU students voting?
By Layla Alnadar STATESMAN REPORTER
THIS STORY IS PUBLISHED AS PART OF U.S. DEMOCRACY DAY AND THE UTAH COLLEGE MEDIA COLLABORATIVE, A CROSS-CAMPUS PROJECT BRINGING TOGETHER EMERGING JOURNALISTS FROM SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE, THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH, UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY, UTAH TECH UNIVERSITY AND WEBER STATE UNIVERSITY.
Voter turnout for young adults has been lower compared to other groups on election day. According to the Institute of Politics at the Harvard Kennedy School, half of Americans aged 18-29 stated they would “definitely be voting.” This hasn’t always translated to casted ballots.
The U.S. census showed over 80% of college students were registered to vote in 2020, but only 66% of them voted.
Many political campaigns are shifting their language and strategy to resonate with young Americans as they recognize the critical impact they can have in the election, utilizing memes, pop culture and social media as a way to effectively connect with the younger generation.
Some students at Utah State articulated the importance of their vote in the upcoming election. Christian Barr, a junior at Utah State studying engineering, shared what motivates him to vote.
“We are going to fight to have a say in who we think should be involved in running our country,” Barr said. “It isn’t just about voting but about what matters to us and the people who fought to give us a say to vote in our life today.”
Since the 2022 midterm elections, over 8 million new voters will qualify to vote in November. Gen Z, peopleborn from 1997 to 2012, make up one-fifth of the U.S. population. Media outlets and campaign strategists have poured their efforts into social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and X.
Emma Adams, a pre-dental sophomore, said she gets her news from a number of different sources.
“Debates are big for me,” Adams said. “I will say a lot of social media is consumed with different clips and videos from debates or interviews. I will read articles often or just communicate with my peers to see what insight that can give me or what they are thinking on different topics.”
Topics that are at the forefront for the youth include cost of living, cost of education, civil rights and climate change.
“A big thing with our generation is the power of voice that we bring,” Adams said. “We are, for the most part, a strong-minded generation, and on both sides, I love to see the opinions of people that aren’t afraid to voice it.”
Young voters have a decisive impact on the outcome of American politics. Their reach extends beyond elections. They decide what goes viral, what is cool or what kind of advertising sticks. They drive the mainstream media and pop culture that is often used as a vehicle of communication.
Many political organizations and nonprofits have diverted their efforts to high school and college students. High
schools across the country have set up booths with resources, information and voter registration tools in efforts to increase their political engagement. Awareness and access is an important deciding factor in whether someone votes. USU has hosted events allowing students to register to vote on campus. In 2020, USU celebrated the 150th anniversary of Utah women gaining voting rights with a special event that allowed students to register to vote.
In 2023, the National Federation of the Blind worked with the Lieutenant Governor’s Office and the State of Utah director of elections to allow people with a print disability to vote electronically. Utah primarily uses the mail ballot system, where everyone is mailed a ballot before the election. This raises issues for people who are not able to see the print or may have a harder time accessing polling locations.
The voter registration deadline for both online and mailin registration is Oct. 25. Early voting begins on Oct. 22 and ends Nov. 1. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by the day before the election.
Layla Alnadar reported and wrote this story as a journalism student with Utah State University’s The Utah Statesman. Her article is part of U.S. Democracy Day, a nationwide collaborative on Sept. 15, the International Day of Democracy, in which news organizations cover how democracy works and the threats it faces. To learn more, visit usdemocracyday.org.
Layla is studying public health. She loves music, hiking, writing and the sun.
— a02414012@aggies.usu.edu
Erica Mejia is the host of “Harmony Elixir,” a dynamic show offering a wide range of music fit for anybody’s preferences! Each week, Erica explores different genres and showcases new sounds in her playlists. You can listen to “Harmony Elixir” every Thursday at 9 a.m. on Aggie Radio 92.3 KBLU LP!
Oye Como Va
PHOTO BY Dane Johnson Students Erin Felix (left) and Adrian Schlegel (right) chat on a bench outside the TSC on Sept. 4, 2024.
Four-year academic, merit scholarships extended, increased for incoming students
By Lacey Cintron STATESMAN REPORTER
Incoming resident students can now get up to 80% of their Utah State University tuition covered by academic and merit scholarships for four years of college. Traditionally, scholarships automatically awarded to incoming students — the Trustee, Land Grand, Merit, Scholar, and Deans scholarships — were only applicable for one to two years. These scholarships, based primarily on an incoming student’s GPA and standardized test scores, have also increased by $500 for the 2025 fall semester.
Craig Whyte is the executive director of Student Financial Support.
“A decision was made to increase those scholarships to reflect changes in inflation and in the cost of attendance in general,” Whyte said. “We’ve seen an increase in costs in general, between housing, transportation and food — not even to mention the cost of tuition.”
Katie North is the executive director of new student enrollment. She said this change represents an effort to invest in the students of USU.
“We don’t want them to just come to Utah State, we want them to graduate from Utah State,” North said.
Affordability has long been one of the biggest barriers for students wanting a college education. An annual report from the Gallup and Lumina Foundation cites that 85% of adults who either dropped out of or never enrolled in higher education did so because of the cost of tuition.
The Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce predicts that 72% of jobs will require some degree of higher education by 2031, placing further stress on colleges across the country to address this barrier.
“We know that finances are the number one reason students can’t go to college,” North said. “We’re doing our best to help those students that have financial need.”
According to North, these millions of dollars of financial
investments are only made possible through several funding inlets.
“Some of it was funded through the university and through academic colleges,” North said. “A lot of individuals donate to the university, whether it be companies or endowments. Then we reallocated some scholarship funds to support that as well.”
Whyte said the primary goal of the financial aid office is to get students all the money they could possibly qualify for.
Lacey Cintron is majoring in psychology. She loves learning about the human mind, sharing stories and naps.
— a02388032@usu.edu
PHOTO BY Jack Burton
The Financial Aid & Scholarships office closes in the evening at the TSC on Sept. 5.
Utes are red , Aggies are blue
By Mark Greenwood STATESMAN REPORTER
This Saturday, the Utah State Aggies will welcome the Utah Utes to Maverik Stadium for the first time since 2012, when the Aggies took down the Utes in a 27-20 overtime thriller. Since Utah’s 2011 migration to the PAC12 Conference, these two teams have played each other just three times, and this week’s matchup marks the first time they will face off on the gridiron since 2015. With this highly anticipated instate game on the docket for this Saturday, here’s a brief history of these teams and their head-to-head matchups.
University of Utah and Utah State first met on Nov. 25, 1892, where Utah State, then the Agricultural College of Utah, claimed victory 12-0. It was another eight years before the teams faced each other again in 1900, with the Utes leaving Logan victorious, defeating the Aggies 21-0. In the first 11 matchups of the two schools, the losing team was shut out an astounding ten times.
The U and Utah State spent 47 years together in the same conference, between the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference and the Mountain States Conference from 1914 and 1961. In 1962, the Mountain States Conference was dissolved. The U left to form the Western Athletic Conference and Utah State became independent until it joined the Big West Conference in 1977. In their time spent together as conference foes, the Utes and the Aggies matched up 44 times, the Utes boasting a 31-10-3 record in those competitions.
USU and the U have met 10 times since 2003. In the 10 attempts, Utah State left triumphant just once, with their lone victory coming in their 2012 upset at Maverik Stadium. While they haven’t been conference foes since 1962, the Aggies and the Utes have spent nonoverlapping time in the same conferences over the past two decades. After being denied entry to the WAC in 1962, the Aggies eventually joined the conference in 2005, just six years after the Utes left for the Mountain West Conference in 1999. Similarly, Utah State left the WAC in 2013 to join Mountain West two years after the U exited for PAC-12.
While the two schools haven’t met on a football field since 2015, both programs have been on the rise since their last meeting. Since 2015, Utah State has claimed a 51-46 record with six bowl game appearances and has won their first-ever Mountain West Championship in 2021. In the same period, the Utes have gone a combined 67-33 with seven bowl game appearances, claiming the PAC-12 Championship in back-to-back seasons in 2021 and 2022.
This year’s competition will feel a little more personal for several players on each side with familiar faces all around. After spending three years in Salt Lake City with the Utes, quarterback Bryson
Barnes is now in Logan and suiting up for the Aggies. In his three years as a Ute, Barnes saw extensive playing time, replacing injured starter Cam Rising in all three seasons. In his debut year in Aggie Blue, Barnes has seen plenty of action after the injury to USU starter Spencer Petras in the season opener. He will possibly see time this weekend against his former team. Additionally, former Ute safety Jadon Pearson is now defending for Utah State and making his impact felt early for the Aggie secondary. On the other side, new Ute Paul Fitzgerald joined the squad after playing in all 13 games for Utah State during their 2023 campaign. While there has been nearly a decade separating the last time these two teams played, expect plenty of fireworks to come at kickoff on Saturday. Both teams have plenty of recent success to draw on and have proven there are plenty of explosive players to go around early this season. With the Utes looking to establish themselves in their first year in the Big 12 and the Aggies hoping to come up with a statement win at home, it will be an exciting installment of the ongoing feud this Saturday in Logan.
Mark is a sophomore at USU studying economics and finance. He’s an avid LA Dodger fan and loves playing tennis and skiing.
—a02361802@usu.edu
STATESMAN FILE PHOTO
Chuckie Keeton winds up to throw a pass against Utah on Keeton took multiple big hits and limped on the field but managed to stay in and finish the game for the Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Sep. 11, 2015.
STATESMAN FILE PHOTO
USU football players, students and athletics staff rush the field after an overtime win against the University of Utah at Maverik Stadium on Sep. 7, 2012.
Claire Ott is a senior studying journalism and environmental studies. She enjoys being a photographer for the Statesman because she gets to capture some seriously cool things that are going on at USU. — a02339922@usu.edu
By Aubrey Holdaway STATESMAN REPORTER
For anyone interested in true crime, journalism, podcasting and/or thrillers, “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” by Holly Jackson might be the perfect book. The first time I read it in the summer of 2022, I didn’t know anything about it. I bought it on a whim after reading the blurb inside the book jacket and was quickly hooked. “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” is a gripping, cleverly constructed YA thriller that pulls readers into a tangled web of secrets, lies and unexpected twists. The novel is not just a typical mystery. It’s a layered story that explores the complexities of truth, justice and the consequences of our actions.
The story follows Pippa Fitz-Amobi, a high school senior with a hungry mind and a strong sense of justice. For her senior project, she chooses to investigate an old murder case in her small hometown — the murder of Andie Bell, a popular high school girl — and the subsequent suicide of Andie’s boyfriend
Sal Singh, who was accused of the crime. The case is closed, but Pippa isn’t convinced of the conclusion everyone in town has come to. She believes there’s more to the story, and as she digs deeper, she uncovers secrets that many people would rather keep buried.
Jackson’s narrative style is one of the book’s standout features. The story is broken up by Pip’s interview transcripts, production logs and diary entries as she works on her project. This creative approach allows readers to piece together clues alongside Pip, keeping the pacing brisk and the suspense high throughout the novel.
Pip is a likable and compelling protagonist. She’s intelligent, unafraid to challenge the status quo and driven by a strong sense of justice. Her self-preservation skills are somewhat lacking, which drove me crazy at times but ultimately adds depth to her character. Throughout the novel, Pip’s relationships with those around her grow and shift.
The mystery at the heart of the novel is intriguing and well-paced. Jackson gives the reader red herrings and unexpected twists that kept me guessing. The more information Pip uncovers, the longer the list of suspects grows. The stakes are high, not just because of the potential danger Pip faces, but also because of the emotional weight in play. The novel deals with themes of grief, guilt and the impact of tragedy on a community, which makes the stakes feel even higher.
The book certainly isn’t without its flaws. Some of the secondary characters could have been more fully developed, and there are moments when the plot feels contrived. While the ending is satisfying and
small-town life. If you’re looking for a satisfying mystery to devour, this is the book for you.
a major Netflix Production
“She’s intelligent, unafraid to challenge the status quo and driven by a strong sense of justice.- Aubrey Holdaway
ties up most loose ends, it is a YA novel and may feel a bit rushed for some readers.
“A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” is an impressive debut from Holly Jackson. It’s a fast-paced, engaging read that will appeal to fans of mystery genres and YA fiction. The novel is both a compelling whodunit and a thoughtful exploration of the darker side of
PHOTO BY Jack Burton