Inclusion Center closes permanently
By Justin Brewster STATESMAN REPORTER
On July 1, the Inclusion Center located on Utah State’s Logan campus closed its doors for reorganization. Before closure, the Inclusion Center held a town hall open for all students and was attended both in person in the Inclusion Center and via Zoom on June 8. The town hall was about the closing, the logistics behind the closure and the effects of the closure on many of the clubs and student organizations associated with it.
The Inclusion Center was a place where students could go to hang out and study and where the professional development of clubs and student organizations occurred.
Its closure and reorganization was brought about by the new Utah law, H.B. 261 Equal Opportunity Initiatives, which was signed into law on Jan. 30 2024 and took effect July 1.
Not long after the passing of H.B. 261, the Utah State Board of Education released an updated policy for both schools and institutions of higher education In it, the law states, “This bill prohibits an institution of higher education, the public education system, and a governmental employer from taking certain actions and engaging in discriminatory practices.”
The theory behind the new law is that equal opportunities will be created for everyone, and it argues that centers and organizations that cater to minorities are prioritizing those students over others.
Many within the USU community, especially those in connection with clubs that were under the Inclusion Center such as USU’s Black Student Union and the Queer Students Alliance, question how genuine the intent is.
“The law kind of comes into play with this misinformed idea that places like the Inclusion Center, like cultural centers, like things that maybe seem to cater towards marginalized students are, like, prioritizing those students over others,” said Yash Rivera, the president of the Christian alliance club at USU. “When really, those services are open to all students, and they benefit the campus as a whole.”
While many of the clubs and organizations within the Inclusion Center catered more specifically to underrepresented identities such as the LGBTQ community, they were open for all, and membership within these
organizations didn’t require members to be a part of that specific group.
A general shape of how the reorganization would look was stated in an email that President Cantwell sent out to the student body on June 18.
Multiple topics and changes were talked of in the email, including the appointment of Dr. Laurens H. Smith to oversee a range of various university affairs It was also explicit in regards to the closing of the inclusion center.
“Student clubs previously housed in the Inclusion Center will be moved to Student Involvement and Leadership where they will be supported and operated consistent with the USUSA clubs and organizations’ policies and procedures,” the email stated.
Student support services that were offered under the Inclusion Center will now be under the direction of central student support services, such as the CARE Team and Academic Belonging and Learning Excellence.
A new center for the study of community will be created, where community building, cultural celebrations and education can occur. This will all be directed by the executive vice president Paul Barr. The new policy released by the State Board of
Education is that student organizations must either be cultural centers or student support centers, not both. For this reason, cultural centers like the Latinx Cultural Center will remain but are being reviewed to determine if they will be student support centers or remain cultural centers.
Justin Brewster is a sophmore currently studying international studies, flipping a coin to figure out what he is going to minor in. In his spare time, he enjoys video games, learning about history and political and social sciences and writing.
PHOTO BY Jack Burton
The Inclusion Center durring it’s last semester of operation, before closure on July 1.
Beat the heat: How to have fun in Utah’s hot summertime
By Lacey Cintron STATESMAN REPORTER
Stifling heat has blanketed Utah with record-breaking temperatures — the U.S. National Weather Service reports an average high of 102 degrees in St. George and 97 in Salt Lake City, several degrees higher than previous averages.
With this year’s summer heat consistently reaching triple digits, it may feel impossible to function anywhere not inside and air-conditioned. However, there is still a way to enjoy summer for those willing to look.
One of the best ways to combat these relentlessly hot days is by being in the water. Luckily, Utah is home to a variety of lakes and swimming holes,.
Just 30 minutes north of Park City lies Echo Reservoir, an oasis of glass-like water tucked within the Wasatch Range. Echo State Park is a popular spot for all kinds of water sports. Visitors can spend time on the park’s sand beaches, take a dip in the lake or kayak through the reservoir with the mountain range as the backdrop.
For those up for a hike, Bloods Lake Trail is located near Park City. This 2.8-mile shaded trail through the sprawling pines of the Bonanza Flat Conservation leads to an alpine lake. According to AllTrails, this is an easy to moderate hike with only one significant incline.
Temperatures at the lake and through the trail stay around 70-75 degrees, making for suitable hiking, picnicking and swimming weather. Make sure to pack the bug spray, as this is also a popular spot for flies and mosquitoes.
For seasoned and determined hikers, Lake Blanche Trail is a must-do. Nestled in Big Cottonwood Canyon within the Twin Peaks wilderness is a crystal-clear lake, backdropped by towering, snow-capped mountains and swaying pines.
The hike to Lake Blanche is a challenging seven mile, five hour long journey which begins four miles into Big Cottonwood Canyon, at Mill B trailhead. While swimming is not permitted at this lake because Little Cottonwood Canyon is a watershed area, temperatures typically remain in the low 70s throughout the summer.
Camping and backpacking are welcomed activities on the trail. Before heading out, it is recommended to pack adequate food and water and to ensure an emergency plan is in place. Part of the trail does not receive cellular service. If planning to camp overnight, consider purchasing a satellite radio in case of an emergency.
Lake Blanche is the perfect destination for those looking to escape the heat and hustle of the bustling Salt Lake City.
For those who want to stay in the city, Salt Lake City’s Saturday Farmers Market is a go-to for many locals looking to kill a few hours and do some shopping.
Every Saturday from June 1 to Oct. 19, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., local businesses gather at Pioneer Park to sell their goods. Visitors can find local art, artisan goods and even a mason jar smoothie for those extra hot days.
After working up an appetite browsing through these local vendors, be sure to stop by Base Camp Kitchen for a breakfast burrito or any of the several food trucks located in the middle
of the market.
Thanksgiving Point is 25 minutes from Salt Lake City, featuring a variety of activities for every type of guest, from museums to seasonal festivals.
A standout attraction of Thanksgiving Point is the Butterfly Biosphere, where guests can walk among over 1,000 live butterflies of all different species. The biosphere is the only insect conservatory in Utah and the only place where butterflies can land directly on participants’ fingers.
To avoid insects, nights out with friends at Salt Lake City’s concert venue, The Depot, is one way to spend a summer night.
The venue hosts events throughout the week for all kinds of people and all kinds of music. Dance the night away at Taylor Swift night or relive the nostalgia of 2000’s classics like High School Musical and Hannah Montana at the Bop to the Top tour.
The majority of nights hosted at the Depot are 18 and older. It’s the perfect place to find new friends and listen to favorite songs.
Whether spending the summer floating around one of Utah’s hidden lakes, roasting s’mores in the mountains or dancing the night away at the Depot, there are still ways to have fun and stay cool this summer.
Lacey Cintron is majoring in psychology. She loves learning about the human mind, sharing stories and naps. — a02388032@usu.edu
STATESMAN FILE PHOTO
A summer picnic is set up near a bench and bike as seen July 2016.
The ride to becoming rodeo royalty
By Ashley Dorius SPORTS REPORTER
Riding in rodeos at a collegiate level takes a certain kind of person, and competing in a national arena takes even more. However, Utah State University has two of the top college rodeo students in the country. Aggies Fallon Johnson and TJ Bowler competed in the College National Finals Rodeo from June 9-15, placing 7th and 4th respectively.
The CNFR takes place in Casper, WY, and invites over 400 contestants from over 100 universities. The CNFR website says it’s “where the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association crowns individual event champions in saddle bronc riding, bare back riding, bull riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing, breakaway roping, and goat tying.”
To get the CNFR takes several steps. Cowboys and cowgirls compete in one of 11 NIRA regions throughout the year for a slot as one of the top 3 competitors in their event. Those top three and the top two men’s and women’s teams from each region get the opportunity to rope or ride in Casper. Utah State competes in the Rocky Mountain region of the NIRA.
“Nowhere else in the world can you find the most elite college athletes and animals going head to head in the dirt, competing to be crowned the best,” the CNFR website says. “More than a rodeo, CNFR is a celebration of our western tradition and athletic excellence that once you’ve experienced, you’ll never forget.”
The Aggie riders agreed with that sentiment, saying they loved their experience. It was the first time Johnson and Bowler could compete at the CNFR, with Johnson competing in breakaway roping and Bowler competing in tiedown roping and team roping with his brother.
“It was a super fun experience,” Johnson said. “It’s super cool to be surrounded by college students from all over the nation. It’s definitely different competing with people from all over.”
Competing at the CNFR is a different experience, according to Johnson and Bowler.
“It’s a tough setup; the cows were strong, and it was a tight arena,” Bowler said. “We’ve been fortunate to have this experience, and we’ll hopefully be back next year.”
Bowler also loved competing with his brother by his side. He said he and his brother, Blake, have been roping together for a long time. Even though Blake now attends Southern Utah University, they were excited about the opportunity to compete together and represent their different schools.
“It’s really fun to get to do it with my brother,” Bowler said. “We can push each other. There’s no drama. I mean, we’ve roped together since 4th or 5th grade.
Johnson and Bowler have been around horses their entire lives, and Bowler has been rodeoing for many years. Johnson, however, shared she started competing a bit later.
“I’ve always been around horses,” Johnson said. “But, I didn’t start competitively rodeoing until 15-16. When I got to USU, I wasn’t planning on rodeoing.”
Johnson decided to try out the team and said she loved being on it.
“I couldn’t do it without my coaches or teammates,” Johnson said. “In high school rodeo, you have your parents and family, but in college rodeo, it’s just you, your coaches, and your teammates. You build a pretty close bond.”
Johnson has competed for the USU Rodeo Club for the past four years, but Bowler is only in his first. He went to Southern Utah for a year before serving a two-year religious mission. Upon returning, he came to Utah State and joined the team. Even though he’s a newer Aggie, he said he loved having USU on his vest.
“It was really fun representing a school,” Bowler said. “We’re still competing individually, but it’s fun to represent Utah State.”
USU Rodeo head coach Colton Bair said they have been excellent additions to the team.
“They go above and beyond,” Bair said. “They are leaders for the team. They set the standard. They know what they want, and we try to set them up for that success.”
Bair and his wife Hillary coach the team. He shared doing rodeo at USU can be demanding. The club meets twice a week and has an average of 15-20 kids on the team competing in various rodeo events. Participants must have their own horses for practice and competition, which the students often have to care for while still attending school. They also have to find steers to practice on, and most team members practice a lot outside of scheduled practice times. However, Bair shared this is the perfect next step to take on the pros.
“We’re the next stepping stone to get them to the professional level,” Bair said. “High school is very family-oriented, but when they get to college, parents fade out. They are there by themselves. It’s also different competing as a team.”
Even though nationals are over, both riders shared they will continue rodeo. Bowler still has a few years left on the team, and he and his brother are training hard to get back to the CNFR and improve their score. Johnson shared that although this chapter of her career is closing, collegiate rodeo isn’t the end. Bowler echoed that statement.
“I think it’d be really fun to keep doing rodeo,” Bowler said. “[My brother and I]’ve done some open jackpots against some pros. We’re so excited to continue rodeoing and show what we’re made of.”
Ashley Dorius is a second-year student studying journalism and English. She was a crazy horse girl as a child, but has never owned a horse. She is now a bit embarassed by this fact.
—ashley.dorius@usu.edu
SUBMITTED PHOTO BY Camille Wadsworth Fallon Johnson competes in the CNFR
SUBMITTED PHOTO BY Camille Wadsworth TJ Bowler competes with his brother Blake in the CNFR
