The Utah Statesman, April 23, 2015

Thursday, April 23, 2015 • www.usustatesman.com • (435)-797-1742 • Free single copy

Adderall season Students seek ADD medication for the finals week push

4By Jeffrey Dahdah news editor

Editor’s note: Sources Tim and Marshall in this article gave interviews with the condition of anonymity, which is why their last names have not been disclosed.

Tim started taking medication for Attention Deficit Disorder, or ADD, in eighth grade.

He went from almost flunking out of school to earning straight A’s almost immediately — but he grew tired of it. When he came to Utah State University, there was high demand for the medication he had become so disinterested in.

“Once I went to college, people would hear that I had it through the grapevine or friends, and there were times that I would keep a couple (pills) on me and walk around campus,” said Tim, a junior at USU. Tim could make $100 dollars walking around campus selling each capsule for $10, especially during finals week.

“The street price, or the campus price, definitely doubles around finals week,” he said. “Students are seeking after it during finals week even if they aren’t so much during the semester.”

Students get ahold of medications like Adderall to ensure productivity on exten-

sive study-binges.

Demand peaks at the end of the semester.

“I think it helps me focus,” said Marshall, a sophomore at USU. “It makes me alert and aware, and I’m present. A lot of times finals week is stressful. You don’t get a lot of sleep because you are studying and stressed out.

On Adderall I still do get stressed, but it’s like a positive stress, I guess, because I feel more productive.”

Dr. James Davis, director of the Student Health and Wellness Center, said while students may feel more productive, that is not necessarily the case.

“That doesn’t mean that it is going to change their ability to retain information or process information,” he said. “It’s not changing what the student is hoping it will change, and it is adding risk that the doctors are hoping that it doesn’t add.”

Medical risks include heightened blood pressure, which can lead to stroke and a higher risk of heart attack.

Lack of appetite and sleep are minor concerns, Davis said.

The only cases of stroke Davis

has seen in someone under age 30 were connected to the use of ADD medication.

Davis said these medical risks are “quite rare,” yet students seeking Adderall or other ADD medication have to weigh their perceived need against potential legal ramifications. Technically, possession of non-perscribed Adderall could result in a felony, as it is a controlled substance.

“The real problem is that it is illegal,” he said. “It is not

something that you can talk your way out of if you were apprehended for doing it, but it’s not something that we turn people in for. My interest is for people to stay in school and stay healthy.”

A person can get a prescription for Adderall or other ADD medication at USU by getting an evaluation from a licensed psychologist, who can then give a recommendation to a doctor after an extensive evaluation process to prescribe the medicine.

Uninformed or uninterested Being informed about world news can be important for students

The Student Health and Wellness Center has written 473 ADD medication prescriptions to different students this school year.

Dr. David Bush, a psychologist for Counseling and Psychological Services, said that students come in for attention troubles, ranging from anxiety to lack of interest to actual ADD. Bush said there are potential alternatives to ADD medication: mindful-awareness practices such as breathing

exercises, meditation or yoga.

“I wish every student on campus practiced those strategies,” he said. “I think you’d see the academic benefits as well as the social and emotional benefits.”

The actual amount of students who use Adderall without a prescription at USU is unknown. Marshall speculated that 20 percent of his friends use Adderall on occasion. Tim thinks that number

jSee ADD, Page 3

What we missed Stories about USU that were not covered by the Statesman throughout the year

4By Mariah Noble tor Scott Wamsley were editor-in-chief

Editor’s note: Though The Utah Statesman has tried to cover the most relevant and newsworthy stories, the following are stories we missed this year in brief: Transportation master plan survey

Kelsie Lott photo

4By Mandy Morgan staff writer

Being informed on world news isn’t a normal part of Chris Crook’s daily life just because of his studies in political science — it is something he believes is important.

“I just think it makes sense, especially in a republic like we have where you actually get a chance to vote. It’s important to read up on the issues and know what’s going on so you can make important decisions,” said Crook, a junior majoring in economics and finance at Utah State University.

Student life doesn’t make for much free time to read the newspaper or watch the news, but finding a few issues students can daily read up on and be interested in could lead to being better informed, Crook said.

“There’s so much information out there,” he said. “Between all the news apps, it’s a 24-hour news cycle. I like the apps because I always have access to them on my phone, and if I have a free moment, I can check that out.”

Crook uses news apps BBC, Al Jazeera, Reuters and Associated Press (AP) to stay informed on national and international news. He also streams podcasts while at work and listens to CNN shows during free time on the weekends.

Many younger people believe they are left out of the decision-making process when it comes to legislation in the U.S., but the reason behind that is that they are not very involved with voting and reaching out to legislators, Crook said.

“The more informed you are, the more likely you are to actually be involved with the political system

and actually show up to vote,” Crook said. “The more informed you are, the more likely you are to try to push for changes — good changes in society and try to make the world better.”

Many students believe it takes much more time and involvement to be sufficiently informed than is actually needed, said Damon Cann, an associate professor in the political science department.

“The bar is not that high,” Cann said. “It’s important that we’re paying attention so that we can hold our elected officials accountable, but we also need to let our elected officials go out and do their jobs because not every citizen can put in the time and effort to be well informed on everything the federal, state and local governments are doing.”

jSee NEWS, Page 11

A recommended transportation master plan shows the closing of 700 North from Bullen Hall to 900 East in five years and to 800 East in 10 years, pending the addition of a new student center.

A survey seeking feedback from students about the plan is available until May 1 at parking.usu. edu. Though the plan suggests the street be closed, it would still be available for pedestrian, bicycle and bus access as well as access to parking areas.

The three-tiered phase approach highlights what campus would look like in five, 10 and 25 years.

Campus recreation employees fired Former campus recreation director Kevin Kobe and assistant direc-

fired in December after accepting tickets to professional sporting events from potential vendors who were vying to provide sports equipment for Utah State University’s new recreation center.

Tim Vitale, executive director of public relations and marketing at USU, said Wednesday the case is still undergoing some levels of review, so releasing records would be inappropriate at this time.

Two interim co-directors have replaced them as administrators in the department.

Slackline lawsuit Three students, who were previously named in a lawsuit asking for $2 million, were dismissed from the court case in December.

Eric Scott Anderson died after an accident involving a slackline on campus the first day of fall semester in 2013.

His parents filed a lawsuit, faulting the three students, some administrators and the university. The administrators’ names were dropped from the document earlier in 2014.

Thursday, April 23, 2015 Page 2

Tech & Money

Auxiliaries seek to serve students

Thakary Minson photos

ISSAC MATTINGLEY (L) AND KANDYCE KELLER (R) WORK at the HUB in the Taggart Student Center. The HUB is part of Dining Services, a university auxilary.

4By Levi Henrie senior writer

Utah State University Dining Services, although affiliated with the university, is nearly independent in terms of finances. It generates its own revenue, pays its own bills and rents the space it occupies from the university.

“We are a business with the same mission the university has,” said Alan Andersen, executive director of Dining Services. “We operate, from a financial perspective, just like a restaurant would downtown. We operate that way on a day-to-day basis, but with the caveat that we’re also supporting and following the mission of Utah State University.”

Dining services is what USU considers an auxiliary, which is “a business

enterprise or other support activity whose purpose is to provide specified services to students, faculty, staff or guests of the institution.”

Auxiliaries at USU include the USU Campus Store, Student Health Ser v ices, Housi ng and Residence Life, the University Inn & Conference Center, the parking terraces and the Taggart Student Center.

USU states that auxiliaries should “operate on an essentially self-supporting basis whenever possible,” meaning they don’t receive funding from the state.

Dining Services had revenues of over $8 million last year. With those revenues, they paid expenses of $7.6 million. While they ran a surplus, they didn’t use it to pay themselves a bonus but instead reinvested in the business. The

salaries they did pay themselves came from business revenue and not from federal funds, the way other university employees are paid.

Andersen said the most rewarding part of working as an auxiliary is interacting and working with students.

“There is no better atmosphere in the world to work in than in a university,” he said. “I work with some of the most motivated people. ... They’re at the most exciting time of their life. They have more energy in them than you could imagine.”

Steve Jenson, executive director of Housing and Residence Life, said auxiliaries employs more students than would typically be seen at other universities. The Campus Store provided 164 student jobs last year and Dining Services hired around 300.

This is possible, Jenson said, because of the quality of the student body at USU. “We employ lots of students, and we’re proud of that,” Jenson said. “They provide great service, and (employing them) helps keep the costs lower.”

Some students being served by the auxiliaries report that they’re glad to see their peers employed.

“I kind of like going into places ... and seeing other students there because I’m more comfortable around them,” said Katie Egbert, a sophomore majoring in social work. “Students are usually friendlier towards other students. It’s just more welcoming.”

Regarding the unique financial situation of auxiliary services, Egbert found it to be strange.

“I think it’s kind of weird,” Egbert said. “I just thought everything on

Utah State box castle beats BYU

campus was just USU and that’s it.”

While auxiliaries operate as a normal business would, sometimes the complexity of their relationship can affect them in their day-to-day operations.

“A university is a political beast,” Andersen said.

“Sometimes you can’t make what you feel is the best business decision because there are other factors in play. I understand that and am fine with it, but it can be frustrating.”

An example of a unique challenge Dining Services may face is offering meal and housing plans for a full year without knowing what will happen to market values for the goods they produce that year. For example, if Dining Services commits to providing food for a certain price at the beginning of the year and

during spring semester the price of obtaining ingredients unexpectedly rises, they may lose a large sum of money.

Despite the challenges and complexities of their task, auxiliary services continue to grow. New dining options have been opened this year. In the coming years it’s expected that San Juan Hall will be renovated and Valley View Tower replaced, amongst various other improvements.

“Students come here to get an education, and we want to make it as seamless as possible,” Jenson said. “All the auxiliaries are focused on providing the very best benefit we can and making sure this experience is an excellent one for students.”

—levi.henrie@ aggiemail.usu.edu

Tweets of the Week @BennettPurser Tonight’s Law & Order: SVU is based on the #AnitaSarkeesian mess.. #AggieLife #Feminismforever @jward406 Logan, Stop building luxury student housing. Nobody can afford it. Rent shouldn’t cost more than tuition. #logan #weareallpoor #AggieLife @Tobler_Kenzie I just traded two cups of milk for the last of my roommate’s tortillas. #survival #collegelife #aggielife #aggiestrife @amberleemerrill As soon as the sun comes out, so do the sleepers on the Quad. #AggieLife

Jeffrey Dahdah photos

@BRobertson1212 That moment when everybody else’s speeches run longer so you don’t have to give your written-last-night speech in class #aggielife

JOHN THOMPSON (L) PREPARES boxes for the box castle. Jacoby Knight (top right) helps stack the box castle. Ian Pougher moves boxes across the castle. The box castle had 787 boxes, almost exclusively collected by Thompson to beat a BYU box castle earlier this year which had 784 boxes. The castle was used to promote recycling.

For more information call Darla • (435) 770-0900 • darladclark@comcast.net

@makelky You know you’re in college when the fire alarm goes off at 1am and you still don’t get out of bed #aggielife

Campus News

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Stretch to de-stress: 1

3

4By Manda Perkins asst. news editor

Finals week can cause stress, which directly affects physical health. Late-night study sessions or last-minute essay writing can leave students with cramped or strained muscles, only adding to the fatigue of final exams.

The key to remaining physically and mentally healthy, according to certified yoga instructor Dennise Gackstetter, is to get up and stretch.

A lecturer in the Department of Art and Design at Utah State University, Gackstetter has prac-

ADD From Page 1 is higher, guessing that 25 to 50 percent of students are taking it this week.

Tim started giving Adderall away in high school to his friends when he didn’t want to take it any more.

“My friends would hit me up and be like, ‘You’re not even taking this. Can I have one or two?’

And I would be like, ‘Sure, I don’t care,’” Tim said. “At that point I wasn’t doing it for money. I just didn’t want to take it.”

He continued giving it away to friends in college, sometimes selling it and eventually stopped renewing his prescription this semester. While it helped him with school, it took away from other aspects of his life.

A look at simple yoga moves that can help you unwind for finals week

4

ticed yoga for 30 years. She said she’s found that sitting, which she refers to as a “repetitive stress disorder,” creates tension in the body as muscles try to maintain themselves. That’s why she urges students to “check-in” with their bodies every 20 minutes with deep breathing and simple stretching.

Gackstetter shared several simple, space-conscious stretches to rejuvenate tired muscles during marathon study sessions. To be effective, stretching should be done with deep and controlled breathing.

1. Cupping: Spending hours

“It just kind of focuses you in on what you’re supposed to be doing, which is fine, but it really takes away your personality almost,” he said.

The perspective on Adderall for Tim and a college student cramming for finals is vastly different. He doesn’t consider people taking Adderall on occasion to study a bad thing, but he just doesn’t find the side effects worth it.

“Those side effects are something that college kids just aren’t worried about when they need to study for their final,” he said.

“They are just taking it because they know they are going to help them study. But for someone who has been prescribed for many years, it’s miserable to take regularly, in my opinion.”

The process for getting prescribed can be lengthy. Some students feel that because Adderall is so accessible, they

Page 3

staring at a computer screen can cause strain on the eyes. This works to release some of that tension. Rub hands together for 20 seconds until the hands are warm, then place hands over eyes.

2. Tree pose: This simple pose will stretch the shoulders and arms. Place one foot just above the ankle of the opposite leg and lift arms up, fingers reaching to the ceiling. Hold for several deep breaths, then repeat standing on the opposite leg.

3. Trunk twist: While sitting on the edge of a chair, put the

would rather buy it then go through process of getting evaluated and prescribed.

Marshall is one of these students. He sees his Adderall use for finals and big tests throughout the year as self-medication.

“I should be prescribed it, and I guess that’s like a placebo. It kind of helps me tell myself it’s OK because I probably should be on it. I probably should take it,” he said.

This practice is discouraged

by CAPS and the Student Health and Wellness Center.

“We strongly discourage them from medication if there is no evidence to support the diagnosis,” Bush said. “We encourage them instead to look at a host of other interventions.”

Most college students know this. Tim said he had a roommate who went to the doctor, said he can’t focus and ended up with a prescription.

2

right hand on the opposite arm rest and the left hand on the back rest, stretching the torso.

Hold for several deep breaths then switch to the opposite side.

4. Table stretch: Standing a few feet in front of a table, bend the knees and place hands flat on the table, ears parallel to the upper arms. Lengthen out the knees to stretch the legs. Hold for several deep breaths.

For more information on Gackstetter’s yoga courses visit yogawithdennise.com.

Ryan Costanzo photos

— manda.perkins@hotmail.com

Twitter: @perkins_manda

“It’s really not that hard to get a prescription, but I think students would rather just buy a couple during finals week,” Tim said.

Regardless of reasons and accessibility, ADD medicine is a seasonal drug, and it is Adderall season right now.

Many students at USU are like Marshall, taking Adderall “mostly around the end of the school year, finals week.”

Though Utah students may not have the reputation of taking Adderall as much as students at colleges in other states, there is still a demand.

“Everybody wants Adderall,” he said. “They are pretty much willing to pay a lot of money for it, especially during finals week.”

— dahdahjm@gmail.com twitter: @dahdahUSU

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Thursday, April 23, 2015 Page 4

Student life

Kyle Todecheene photos MANDEE LINES (LEFT) AND MAELEIGH DYE (RIGHT) study for a chemistry test. Students advise not procrastinating, sleeping enough and taking breaks for study efficiency.

To cram or not to cram 4By Miranda Lorenc senior writer

Finals are coming, and dead week is here.

Knowing where to start studying and how to manage time can be difficult, especially with summer vacation just a couple weeks away, but some students have figured out what works for them.

“Get enough sleep, don’t procrastinate and, before a final, make sure you eat well,” said Michelle Mortimer, a senior in law and constitutional studies. “All the basic things you’ve learned in high school, they actually work. So if you do them, your finals week goes a lot better.”

Dead week is known as the week before fi-

nals, during which instructors aren’t supposed to give any tests in order to allow students to prepare for finals week.

“And because most people die during dead week,” Mortimer said.

One tip in preparing for finals was suggested

by Austin Derbique, a sophomore in engineering, who said to chew gum while studying.

“There’s some correlation between chewing a particular type of gum when you’re studying and chewing that same gum when you take the test,” Derbique said. “Something about triggering the things you remember from when you’re studying.”

Mortimer said that typing up handwritten notes and study guides before an exam and

Social experiment: the superficial side of online dating 4By Monica Delatorre staff writer

“You are the most gorgeous woman I have ever seen in my life.”

That is how most conversations started when I decided to join OkCupid for a social experiment.

In my everyday life, I have never been approached as often as I was when men messaged me on this dating site. Only the brave approach me in person, but when online, people think they can say and do what they want because they are hiding behind a screen.

Nothing against Sara Bareilles, but I would rather see you be respectful than be brave. Asking me to be your girlfriend or to marry you before even saying “hi” is a big no-no, and yes, both of those things did happen a number of times.

For the sake of the experiment I made an effort to get a conversation going with everyone that messaged me, except for those

creepers who were twice my age. You’re older than my dad.

For goodness sakes, keep it in your pants.

This guy from Idaho messaged me and immediately asked me to be his girlfriend. Of course I said no, and that I would like to get to know him. I checked his profile and found that he was a senior in high school. Since I wasn’t actually looking to date anyone, I deemed it OK to talk to him. That is until he made up this double-life of being a college student, and then told the truth after I called him out on it.

There were three main problems with this guy. First, he was in high school, and that just seems inappropriate. Second, his profile picture was of him wearing an unbuttoned shirt. I mean, seriously? Put that away. I don’t want to see it. Shout out to those few guys that don’t take shirtless selfies. Third, he was dishonest, which I don’t appreciate anyway.

Come on, guys. Just tell the truth.

defining vocabulary or answering practice questions helps her prepare for her exams.

“I’m going through what the lecture was about,” Mortimer said. “I’m remembering what the teacher said, and I can better put down my thoughts.”

Charlene Layton, a senior in animal, dairy, and veterinary science, said she tries to break up her study schedule by studying for 45 minutes, then taking a 15-minute break before returning to study for another 45 minutes. Every few hours, she takes an extra hour or two to rest.

“If I try and study for more than 45 minutes, I’ll zone out. Like I’ll start thinking about everything but what I’m studying, so I always have to take a break,” Layton said.

Layton also said she likes to teach other people what she is learning to help her remember the material. The biggest thing about studying, however, is to avoid cramming all at once, she said.

“Don’t study for too long,” Layton said, “because your brain’s not going to remember stuff if you cram.”

Mortimer and Derbique also advised against procrastination and cramming the night before a test.

“It never works if you try and study the night before and study five minutes before your final,” Derbique said. “It’s just going to melt your brain

jSee STUDY, Page 11

Kyle Todecheene photo FARMERSONLY.COM, PICTURED ABOVE, is one of many dating websites. Writer Monica Delatorre joined OkCupid as a social experiment to investigate the culture of online dating.

I promise it isn’t that hard.

This other guy who actually does live in Logan messaged me and he seemed like an OK guy.

But we did not get far into a conversation before he started going into graphic detail about sex ritu-

als from Africa, which is where he is from.

Needless to say, I found this uncomfortable, which is why I will advise that anyone looking to start online dating be cautious.

On the bright side, my friends

and I had a good laugh about this experiment.

What bothered me the most about online dating is that it was based purely on looks. People

jSee DATING, Page 11

How to make the most of your summer Colten Van Tussenbrook He says

Some people spend their summers watching Netflix while scrolling Instagram and looking at their

friends’ pictures taken on the beach. Others venture as far as St. George, almost making it out of the state. Then there are those who actually land halfway across the country, but end up knocking doors trying to sell security systems.

In other words, we all have very different plans for summer break. My only advice is that you don’t forget that it’s summer break.

Yes, that means you can put aside your mundane lifestyle of school and work to enjoy some time off.

What’s the best way to take a break? Here are my suggestions: Learn a new hobby. Remember that thing you said you were going to learn how to do three months ago? Rock climbing, maybe? Or perhaps it was golfing. Whatever it is, this is your perfect opportunity to set time aside and learn something new. Dive right in and spend your free time getting better. You have until August before major

jSee HE SAYS, Page 5

Alyssa Hawkins She says

With finals week approaching, the last thing on your mind is planning ahead for summer. But

have you ever found yourself at the last week of August wondering where it all went, wishing that you could go back and actually do something with your summer?

Instead of just trying to make it to the weekend or waiting around for other people to make plans, here are some suggestions on how you can get the most out of your summer.

If you are staying in Logan for the summer, find other people who are also

staying. It’s all about connections, and who you know could either make or break your summer. Get to know the people that live near you, especially people with pool and hot tub connections because everyone enjoys a good pool party.

Not only will these people be your best friends in the summer, but you could find yourself with a whole new addition of friends for next fall semester as well.

Hiking in Logan is phe

jSee SHE SAYS, Page 5

Student Life

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Page 5

Class of ’15 faces the future 4By Whitney Howard staff writer

Many seniors at Utah State University are finally getting that expensive piece of paper they ordered approximately four years ago.

After seniors receive their diplomas, they will step into the job market arena. They will be thrown into the “real world,” where they may face debt and unemployment.

But what can seem intimidating is starting another chapter in life, not unlike being an incoming freshman, said Cooper Larsen, a senior majoring in international business and economics.

“You look around, and everyone is so old,” Larsen said. “I’m like a freshman in real life.”

Larsen has a job lined up after graduation. However, this achievement did not come without some serious effort. Larsen had 17 interviews before landing a job with Goldman Sachs in Salt Lake City.

Other seniors don’t have a job in their field awaiting them after graduation but have plans to apply later, like graphic design major Chelsea Babbit.

Babbit reflected on similar feelings of uncertainty at the beginning and end of a college career.

“I think it’s normal for people to feel out of their comfort zone,” Babbit said, “but now this is my comfort zone, and I’m leaving.”

Other seniors may de-

Landon Pozernick photo ‘MY FUTURE HAS NEVER BEEN SO OPEN,’ said graduating senior, Chelsea Babbit (pictured above). “It’s so freeing, but it’s also horribly terrifying.”

cide to go a different route entirely. For example, Edye Baker is a psychology major who plans to attend dental

hygiene school in the fall.

“Midway through my degree, I realized it was a lot of research,” Baker said. “I

didn’t want to teach undergrad and do research when I knew I would hate it.”

Regardless of their plans,

several seniors said they will miss the opportunity to meet people after graduation. Larsen did not initially expect to be impacted by the people he met during his time here.

“There are so many opportunities to get out and meet other students,” Larsen said. “Not that none of that exists in the future, but there are a lot less opportunities for that I think.”

Baker will also miss the diversity of people at USU, as well as the college environment.

“Everybody’s up late. Everybody’s doing crazy stuff all the time,” Baker added.

“I’ll lose that chaotic, ‘We’re in college, and we do whatever we want,’ sort of environment.”

As for things seniors won’t miss, Larsen said he will enjoy the free time that comes with no longer being in college.

“I’ll work lots of hours in the office, but they’ll be in the office,” Larsen said.

“When you’re away from work, you have the opportunity to be involved in what you’re passionate about.”

Babbit also said she looks forward to the openness in her life but also pointed out the intimidation that comes with it.

“My future has never been so open,” Babbit said.

“It’s so freeing, but it’s also horribly terrifying.”

Graduation does not come without some anxiety. What-if fears tend to be very common among seniors, Baker said.

“My main fear is that I

won’t like what I end up doing,” Baker said. “But you don’t have to do that for the rest of your life. You can change if you don’t end up liking things. You can do something else.”

Larsen recommended that students get involved early and often in clubs and associations that interest them at USU. “I think there is a lot of growth that comes with getting involved that prepares you a lot more to graduate than if you just kind of float through and go to classes,” Larsen said.

Baker added that a balance between fun and academics is key.

“If you just do studying, it’ll drive you completely crazy,” Baker said. “There are a lot of opportunities you miss out on in the college experience if you just study.”

Babbit did not rule out the importance of learning while in college. Babbit said she worries about being able to remain open to learning after graduation.

She encouraged remaining students to try to get the most out of each class while they’re still here.

“I feel like once you’ve developed an interest and openness to knowledge, any class can be interesting,” Babbit said. “My advice would be to immerse yourself in different things and be open to it, and try and learn something from every class.”

— whitney.howard@ aggiemail.usu.edu Twitter @omgwhitshutup

State your case: the great Kanye debate Team Yeezus

Team classic Kanye

4By Manda Perkins

4By Jeffrey Dahdah

Yeezyseason is here and it’s yet to blow over. There’s a reason this storm hasn’t lifted — “new” Kanye West is a genius.

Not to say “old” Kanye doesn’t deserve respect as an artist — dare I say, as a human being? — but the fact some critics can’t swallow is that it is OK, important even, for artists improve and find their voice — even if that means getting nastier and even darker with each album.

Music elitists both praised and hated the June 2013 drop “Yeezus” with its dark and somewhat uncomfortable themes. Some Huffington Post writers asked Kanye to get over himself, go back to the old stuff and step away from the fashion industry. Rolling Stone gave the album 4.5 out of 5 stars, lauding West’s work as “extravagantly abrasive.” I don’t think “abrasive” quite covers it — and that’s why you hate it.

Kanye’s work returns to themes of racism and class-ism again and again. But this time, even more so than in the past, he’s out to make you sweat. Perhaps that’s

Unlike a fine wine, Kanye West did not mature with age. In fact, he digressed. In my opinion — which is the right opinion — as soon as the bear left the album cover, so did the magic.

Kanye’s first three albums are original. They don’t sound the same as everything else you could hear on the radio now. Granted, they are a number of years older, but his most recent albums align with the rest of the industry.

However, I don’t want to focus on negatives. Look at the positives. Kanye does nothing better than brag. In his first three albums, he brags about his climb up the music industry. In his following four, he brags about nonsensical and cocky things.

‘College Dropout’ and ‘Late Registration’ have 21 and 22 songs, respectively, on them. His last four albums have 13 songs at the most. ‘Yeezus’ has 10. I think this is a testament to the

asst. news editor

news editor

jRead the rest of THE KANYE DEBATE online at usustatesman.com.

He says From Page 4 responsibility begins again.

Go on a road trip. We have all imagined packing up for a week and driving across the country. You can

now make that dream a reality. Grab a couple of close friends, load up on peanut butter, jelly and bread and head out. You don’t even need a final destination. You only need a car, some cash for fuel, caffeinated beverages and good company.

Read a book, but for

She says From Page 4 nomenal in the summer. Go hiking and go often. Some of the best hiking trails are also some of the closest to Logan. The Wind Caves trail is always a popular choice, but if you want some breathtaking views, the Crimson Trail is a great option. Some other popular hiking trails include Spring Hollow Trail and Green Canyon. Make sure that you go with lots of people because hiking is always better with others. Also remember to take a camera because some of the sights you will see you won’t find anywhere else.

If you are into sports, get a group of friends and join an intramural team. Many sports, from soccer to volleyball, are offered in the summer. This is a great way to

fun. I know this may not sound appealing to those of you who’ve had your noses stuck in engineering textboos for the last four months, but reading something you actually enjoy is entirely different. Reread the entire Harry Potter series, or begin the “A Song of

meet new people and get some good exercise.

Logan is also really close to many water sources such as Bear Lake, Porcupine Reservoir and Logan River. These places are great for boating, fishing and tubing.

You can also check out the different hot springs, such as Lava Hot Springs and Crystal Hot Springs.

No matter what you end up doing this summer, make sure that you get out and enjoy summer in Logan because before you know it, fall semester will be here quicker than you can say “summer vacation.”

— Alyssa Hawkins is a freshman majoring in journalism. She’s an avid Disney junkie, unapologetic organizer and a lover of all things chocolate. Send questions or advice requests to alyssa.hawkins@ aggiemail.usu.edu or on Twitter: @_alyssahawkins.

Photo courtesy Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/TNS KANYE WEST ON STAGE at BET Honors 2015 at the Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, Jan. 24.

Fire and Ice” series, better known as Game of Thrones.

Get lost in a book, just like you did in fourth grade.

Find the best ice cream in Logan. This has been highly debated for years. Is it indeed Aggie Ice Cream? Or are Charlie’s shakes even better? And don’t forget to

clean the sink at Angie’s.

Spend a few days with your friends searching out the valley’s absolute best desserts.

Most of all, just enjoy every second that you have away from school. We all love Utah State, but let it go for a couple of months.

I promise everything will still be around in August.

— Colten is a junior majoring in technical writing. His life is perfect, so you can take his advice. Submit questions or advice requests at coltenvantussenbrook@gmail.com or on Twitter @coltvant.

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Thursday, April 23, 2015 Page 6

Sports

Who did it best in Aggie sports 2.

1.

3.

5.

6.

4.

8.

7.

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1-9 Annie Hall, Kylee Larsen photos, 10 courtesy of men’s soc

4By Logan Jones & Kalen Taylor asst. sports editor

sports editor

1. Most improved — Jalen Moore Moore was one of the few returning players for the Aggie basketball squad and he was the only starter that was on the team last year. Last year he played 17 minutes per game and averaged over five points and nearly three rebounds per contest. He doubled his minutes, and nearly tripled all his other stats. Moore was the leading scorer on the team at

over 15 points per game. He also grabbed nearly seven rebounds and played 34 minutes per game. Moore became the anchor for a team that desperately needed leadership. The 6-foot-8 sophomore is USU’s most improved athlete will be an important part of the basketball team next year.

2. Male senior of the year — Zach Vigil Not a lot of players get college sports fans excited about defense. But despite a rash of injuries this year in USU foot-

ball, Zach Vigil kept the Aggies afloat with near-constant highlight reel plays.

Touchdowns and big catches are thrilling, but so was watching the wrecking ball named Zach Vigil tear through Air Force’s offensive line to tackle the Falcons’ quarterback, then bounce up and drop the running back too — then get a sack the very next play. It was that kind of year for Vigil.

3. Freshman of the year — Funda Nakkasoglu Nakkasoglu not only has one of the

best names at Utah State University, she also has some of the best basketball skills. In a tough season where two players left the team early in the year, Nakkasoglu averaged over 17 points per game and was the second leading scorer in all of Division I women’s basketball behind Ohio State guard Kelsey Mitchell, who led the country in scoring with 25 points per game. She shot nearly 40 percent from the field, over 31 percent from

4See BEST Page 8

Sports

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Page 7

An Aggie All-American

Chari Hawkins journeys from middle school in Rexburg, Idaho to team USA heptathlete 4By Logan Jones asst. editor

Kelsie Lott photo illustration CHARI HAWKINS practices hurdles and the long jump while at practice on Tuesday. Hawkins was recently named the Mountain West athlete of the week and selected to be part of team USA as a heptathlete.

Focused, Chari Hawkins launched herself into a small pit of sand, executing her long jump landing with skilled precision.

On that warm April afternoon, coach Ryan Grinnell studied Hawkins’ technique through a pair of darkened sunglasses, at times offering her bits of technical advice as she repeated the exercise again and again. Hawkins smiled the whole time.

The scene is a pleasant display of the persistence and determination necessary to be exceptional in any track and field event. But Hawkins doesn’t compete in just one event.

She competes in seven.

Hawkins is a heptathlete, a competitor who participates in a grueling, two-day series of events including the 100-meter hurdles, the high jump, the long jump, the shot put, the 200-meter dash, the javelin throw and the 800-meter.

“The more you do it, the more your body gets used to it. It’s almost like your body knows it’s not done yet,” Hawkins said. “But

Sixto Cabrera: 4By Thomas Sorenson staff writer

The light of the setting sun reflected off the Chattahoochee River as it rolled past Golden Park near downtown Columbus, Georgia on May 31, 2012.

Inside the ball park, the Utah State baseball team had opened up a 14-3 lead over the Colorado State Rams. From his spot in the dugout, Sixto Cabrera had a view of the field.

Needing one more out to seal Utah State’s first baseball national championship, pitcher Kyle Durrant stared down the Rams’ batter.

He threw the pitch and the batter made contact: a fly ball to the centerfielder. Aggies win.

Two years later, Dustin Christensen was on the mound at The University of Tampa Baseball Stadium facing a similar situation for the Aggies. One more out to seal another national title.

After pitching the first five innings of the game, Cabrera had again found a spot in the dugout to watch the final play. Contact was made, but it was the same result: fly ball to the centerfielder. Aggies win again.

“When I saw the ball in centerfield, I was like, ‘Man, this looks familiar,’” Cabrera said.

“I remember that because the emotions you feel when you see the ball is caught and you know that it’s over.”

In his five years playing baseball for Utah State, Cabrera has helped the team develop as it has grown from barely having enough players to field a team all the way to national champions.

He originally came to USU from the Dominican Republic. After earning a bachelor’s degree in his first few years, Cabrera is preparing to graduate next fall with a master’s degree in electrical engineering.

“The beginning was difficult because you’re used to being home with your family and

when I was a freshman I remember being so tired after the first day it felt like I’d been hit by a bus.”

Hawkins, though still with an entire outdoor season in front of her, recently received one of just two invitations extended to heptathletes in the country to represent Team USA in the World University Games in July.

“I was so excited. I got a text message, and I was like ‘I don’t ...

I don’t get this. I don’t think this is real,’” Hawkins said. “I still want to do the best I can at nationals and compete to the best of my ability at conference and just try to knock out what I have coming up.”

The Rexburg native wasn’t always a multi-event athlete — or even particularly interested in track — until a couple of seventh-grade friends invited her to try out for the team.

“I remember I was in the girls’ locker room after PE, and they were like, ‘Hey do you want to go to track today?’” Hawkins said. “I was like, ‘No, what is wrong with you? Who wants to go to track?’”

After learning from her friends that track included more than

Aggie pitcher looks for another national title

friends,” Cabrera said. “You don’t know what to expect.”

One of the most surprising parts of the transition was the weather in Utah, Cabrera said.

“The first time I saw snow in my life was November 2010, and it was a blizzard,” he said.

Cabrera has played baseball since he was 6 years old. He had traveled to the United States with a club team as a teenager and even participated in a St. Louis Cardinals camp in the Dominican when he was 18, he said.

He had some offers to play collegiate baseball but decided instead to accept the full-ride academic scholarship offer to come to Utah State.

After arriving on campus, he made his way to the team. Relying on baseball made the transition to Utah easier, Cabrera said.

“The only thing that makes me feel comfortable, doesn’t matter, is baseball,” Cabrera said. “You can play baseball here, in the DR, in Mexico. Anywhere you play baseball, it’s still baseball.”

Cabrera credited Norman Doyle, who was the head coach from 2012 to 2014, for giving him the confidence he needed to succeed.

“Norman’s just that kind of person that he was always confident that I was going to do a good job,” Cabrera said. “ ... He was a good friend. You need that coming from a different country.”

Now in his final year at Utah State University, the pitcher is comfortable and is helping the baseball team make one more run for the World Series.

Cabrera’s experience makes other players on the team respect him more, said teammate Angel Brito, who also came to USU on an academic scholarship from the Dominican Republic.

“Having him on the team, I think, helps us

just running events, Hawkins — already an athlete involved in basketball, volleyball and gymnastics — began her track career.

She didn’t know it at the time, but her involvement in track and field would ultimately lead her to shatter records, earn multiple All-American honors and an invitation to the World University Games.

It would also lead her to run, occasionally.

“I got older. They made me run a little bit,” Hawkins said laughing, “and I hated it, but it turned out to be fun. Here I am seven years later.

Ten years later? Oh, that’s gross.”

Hawkins was a state champion in each of her three high school events: the long jump, high jump and hurdles, which had USU coaches thinking she was cut out for the heptathlon before she’d so much as heard of the multi-event.

“They just told me, ‘Oh yeah it has your three events in there.

You’ll do really good at it,’” Hawkins said.

Working closely with Hawkins for the past year, coach Grinnell noted Hawkins’ cheery attitude

complimented her tough mentality.

“She’s always got a bubbly personality,” Grinnell said. “She enjoys coming to practice. I think that’s why she’s been so successful.

She puts in the same amount of work here in practice that she does in competition.”

Grinnell’s responsibilities include creating training plans to prepare Hawkins for meets without wearing her down as well as helping her focus on individual events such as the multi-event’s finale — the 800 meter.

“It’s all guts. It’s all glory, anything you got left in the tank,” Grinnell said. “After two days of competition, six events down, here’s the seventh. We just get in the zone, talk about anything but the 800.”

Hawkins, lighthearted even when under intense pressure, explained her mentality when nearing the end of the competition.

“If you have a lot left, you tend to train your body to say, ‘No, no, we’re not done yet,’” she said.

4See CHARI Page 8

Kylee Larsen photo

PITCHER SIXTO CABRERA THROW during a game last weekend against Idaho.

Cabrera was part of the last USU baseball team to win a national title and is hoping to accomplish the same with this team.

get together and improve,” Brito said.

Cabrera is a quiet leader, said Scott Stranski, the pitching coach for the team.

“He’s not one of those real vocal guys, but when he walks out on the mound, everybody expects we’re going to win the game,” Stranski said.

Cabrera has become one of the top pitchers at USU, but it was out of necessity that he first took the mound for the Aggies in 2010.

“Our first year, we didn’t have a lot of pitching,” Cabrera said. “One of the games in the fall, I remember, they asked me to pitch one of the games and I pitched good.”

By the next spring, Cabrera had become a full-time pitcher for the Aggies.

“It was a challenging year for me because I had to learn how to pitch and pitch a lot, too,” he said.

Cabrera credited Stranski with helping him develop as a pitcher.

“I owe a lot of things to him because he was the one that made me,” Cabrera said. “He’s been key to my pitching.”

The team feels confident that it has a shot at winning the World Series again because of Cabrera’s performance.

“I have a lot of confidence in Sixto,” said head coach Brad Singer. “He’s one of our top guys, and I know that.”

4See SIXTO Page 8

Sports

Page 8

Best From Page 7 three and more than 80 percent from the free throw line. Nakkasoglu is fourth in single-season scoring with 504 points, tied for fifth in free throws attempted at 180, sixth in single-season assists, 136, and seventh in single-season scoring. She is the all-time freshman leader in both points and assists as well as a third team All-American from Full Court Freshman.

4. Female senior of the year — McKenzie Davis Davis is the all-time wins leader at Utah State with 166 combined singles and doubles wins in her four-year career at USU. She has 90 singles wins and 76 doubles wins. Davis is the 2014 Intercollegiate Tennis Association singles regional champion and won USU’s 2015 female athlete of the year. Her coach, Sean McInerney called her “the greatest Aggie tennis player of all time.” We agree.

With all that she has accomplished in her years at USU, including being a captain since 2013, she is more than deserving of female athlete of the year. The only one that came close in our minds is track and field athlete Chari Hawkins.

5. Team of the year — Men’s tennis The tennis team has transformed it’s culture this year. In 2011 the Aggies recorded five wins. In 2012 the team won

six games, and in 2013-2014 there were nine. This year USU’s men’s tennis team has recorded 18 wins, and secured a No. 2 seed for the Mountain West tournament.

Utah State is currently ranked in the top 100 in the nation at No. 67. USU has been in and out of the top 100 all season, has a freshman with the most singles wins in a season and went 5-2 in the MW. With only two seniors and a coach that just signed a contract extension, expect the men’s tennis team to continue to climb in national rankings.

6. and 7. Coach of the year — Nadalie Walsh & Stew Morrill Walsh is in her second season as the gymnastics coach at Utah State. She’s led the Aggies to two-straight NCAA regional competitions and this year the squad posted an 11-15 record. More importantly for the team they beat in-state rival BYU four times. For those of you out there wondering, beating BYU four times is a great way to find your way to the top of our list. The gymnastics team placed fifth at the regional event and had a 2-7 record for the season. It was a good enough season that Walsh was rewarded with a well-deserved contract extension at the end of the season.

This isn’t about Morrill’s tenure at USU or his retirement. The fact is, despite many qualified candidates, Morrill did more than just the exceptional — he did the unthinkable. Morrill took a roster of players unfamiliar with each other and gave them a game plan that depend-

Thursday, April 23, 2015

ed entirely on team chemistry, on savvy play-making, on ball movement and on a perfect understanding of team defense.

Instead of the train wreck it could have been — indeed, would have been under a different coaching staff — the Aggies made their presence known. They shocked both Boise State and New Mexico on the road, catching fire at the end of the season to the tune of a six-game hot streak. Then as the fifth-seed, USU also held its own against eventual conference champion Wyoming in the MW tournament, losing 67-65. The foreseeable future of Aggie basketball is changed for the better because of Morrill’s one last incredible year.

8. Game of the year — USU football dethrones BYU This game was fit for Hollywood cinema. Utah State entered a hostile Lavell Edwards Stadium as 21-point underdogs, up against an undefeated BYU team with hopes of a major bowl bid. What followed was one of the marquee wins in USU football history, as the Aggies didn’t just stick with the Cougars — they took them to the woodshed. Darrell Garrettson’s cannon of an arm and a truly heroic effort on both sides of the ball from Nick Vigil made for the most memorable win of the season in Aggie athletics.

9. Newcomer of the year — Chris Smith USU basketball was selected to finish next-to-last in the Mountain West this season with what appeared to be an inex-

Sixto

Chari

From Page 7

From Page 7

Teammate Eric Stranski agreed.

“He’s a veteran. He’s a leader. The entire team feels confident,” he said.

Cabrera said that, so long as the team can win another title, he doesn’t really care who makes the final play or what play it is.

“We’ll take it on a ground ball or anything,” Cabrera said. “We’ll take it.”

The team will travel to Missoula, Montana on May 7 for the regional tournament. The winner of that series will advance to the World Series in Paducah, Kentucky beginning May 22.

“Then when it’s all said and done you kind of just try to slip into something more comfortable, like a coma or something.”

Heading into her final outdoor season, the senior already owns Utah State’s heptathlon record with a score 5,732 points, set earlier this month at the Mt. SAC Relays.

However, of all her many accomplishments, Hawkins still beams at the mention of one particular benchmark.

“I remember last year when I jumped my six-foot jump, the only event I did that day was high jump, and it was the first time I’ve ever cleared six feet,” Hawkins said, grinning. “That was probably my most proud moment just because that was something I could see the improvement, and it was right

— thomas.sorenson@ aggiemail.usu.edu Twitter: @tomcat340

Kylee Larsen photo SIXTO CABRERA THROWS A PITCH during a home game against Idaho. USU is on an 18-game win streak and hoping to advance to the World Series.

perienced roster and too many question marks to warrant high expectations. Then came Smith, who finished the season as the tenth-highest scorer in the conference and a constant spark on offense. Smith proved himself to be a clutch shooter and a solid defender, earning the second-best 3-point-shooting percentage in the MW (.474). He may have started the season as a player who merely complimented USU’s core of Jalen Moore and David Collette but has established himself as a central piece of the team.

10. Club team of the year — Men’s soccer This one was really tough. With a topranked lacrosse team, a baseball team that clinched conference and is on an 18game win streak, plus men’s and women’s rugby winning tournaments and playing for conference championships there was a lot to choose from. The soccer club received club team of the year for its performance against in-state teams and at the national level. The club went to the national tournament and ended the season ranked No. 16 in the nation. That’s the highest ranking the USU men’s soccer club has received in 12 years. It was also the first time the Aggies had competed in the national tournament in 12 years.

— kalen.s.taylor@gmail.com Twitter: @kalen_taylor — logantjones@aggiemail.usu.edu Twitter: @logantj

there. There was a bar right up there.”

In addition to proud moments, the self-proclaimed “natural klutz” has her share of embarrassing stories to tell.

“Track is literally exerting all of your force to something at one time, and if you’re not completely focused on that event and you slip in something, you’re going to fall,” Hawkins said. “There’s been countless times I’ve slipped and not even landed on the high-jump mat.”

Of all the many skills that make Hawkins a special athlete, maintaining a sense of humor may be the most unique — and the most important.

“When it happens you just have to say, ‘Whoops,’ and laugh at yourself,” Hawkins said. “If you don’t learn to laugh at yourself during track, then you’re kind of in trouble because track is physically and mentally exhausting. So if you can’t find time to have fun,

you’re not going to go anywhere with it.”

Hawkins’ sense of humor hasn’t gone unnoticed. Utah State’s head track and field coach Gregg Gensel praised Hawkins for leading the rest of the team, citing her example as one of an athlete who understands what it takes to be a great competitor.

“She’s a multiple-time All-American. We’ve only had a few of those on the women’s side,” Gensel said. “There’s no one that has a bigger heart than her. She’s willing to lay it all on the line for the team.”

A season full of expectations, exhausting competition and at least a few more practice-landings in the sand pit lay ahead for Chari Hawkins, but none of these things will come close to shaking her focus — or her signature smile.

— logantjones@ aggiemail.usu.edu Twitter: @logantj

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Thursday, April 23, 2015 Page 10

Opinion The Board Mariah Noble editor-in-chief

——— Jeffrey Dahdah news editor

Manda Perkins asst. news editor

——— Noelle Johansen features editor

Katherine Lambert asst. features editor

——— Kalen Taylor sports editor

Logan Jones asst. sports editor

——— Kylee Larsen phtoto editor

Annie Hall asst. photo editor

——— Mikayla Kapp design editor

The Page Opinions on this page (columns, letters) unless otherwise identified are not from Utah Statesman staff, but from a wide variety of members of the campus community who have strong opinions, just like you.

This is an open forum.

Want to write something? Contact us: statesmaneditor@ aggiemail.usu.edu.

Think about your cake Handouts from political clubs are propaganda in disguise On Wednesday, a group called “Aghave even thought gies for Israel” celebrated Israel’s about Israel.

Jeffrey Dahdah critically Independence Day in the Taggart Not 10 months Student Center. Passers by were givago, almost 2,200 en cake to celebrate Israel’s indepenpeople died in the News dence and probably told about how Gaza Strip from Iseditor rael’s bombs and great the club was and asked to join and support Israel.

11,000 more were in I will never understand why people jured. Most of these don’t recognize that this is an issue. people were civilians.

First, celebrating Israel’s indepenTheir crime? Being in dence is an oxymoron in itself seeing Gaza. as the land was gifted to Israelis by the Gaza is an open-air western world. It was taken from Palprison with two exits: estine, whose residents were forced one into Egypt and to flood into overcrowded regions of one into Israel. There the country or simply into other counare no sea ports altries. Now areas like Gaza or the West lowed and it is one Bank are impoverished and tightly controlled of the most densely-populated regions in by a government system that Palestinians the world. A bomb, even aimed at a specific have no vote on. target, would undoubtedly draw large scale Second, the people who took cake walked death and suffering. away taking part in a celebration of Israel.

I’m not saying that Palestine is blameless.

It is one thing to not care. I don’t want to Hamas also fired rockets in these situations, sit here and tell people that they should care though not advanced ones and with minimal more about world affairs because nobody damage comparatively. Why Hamas prods wants hear it. What I do want is to encourage at Israel is beyond me. However, why Israel people to think critically about the meaning jumps on the first move from Hamas to kill behind some of the handouts they receive in and cripple thousands is even further beyond passing. Some people in the group may not me.

Horoscopes Aries: March 21 - April 19 The moon is opposite your sign, so this isn’t the best time to make a major romantic decision.

Maybe you’re falling in love, and that’s great.

Just don’t propose marriage. Or perhaps you’re considering a breakup. Be sure to think things through.

Taurus: April 20 - May 20 You could discover that you and a casual friend have a lot in common. The sun is showing you that you can really find multiple levels of compatibility with someone who is already in your social circle. Don’t dismiss someone just because you don’t know him or her very well.

Gemini: May 21 - June 21 Venus is stirring up the passion, and you’re ready to seduce someone. Maybe you’ve had your eyes on a sexy new friend, and you’ve been waiting for the right moment to make an indecent proposal.

This could be the week to go for it.

Cancer: June 22 - July 22 Imaginative Neptune is filling your head with creative ideas. You’re thinking about a way to charm someone, and you’re coming up with a winning plan. You’ll want to do something that showcases

jSee HOROSCOPES, Page 11

All letters may be shortened, edited or rejected for reasons of good taste, redundancy or volume of similar letters.

No anonymous letters will be published.

Writers must sign all letters and include a phone number or e-mail address as well as a student identification number (none of which is published). Letters will not be printed without this verification.

Letters can be hand delivered or mailed to The Statesman in the TSC, Room 311, or can be emailed to: statesmaneditor@ aggiemail.usu.edu.

While some are opposed to holding this special election, we believe students will benefit in the long run.

The Utah State University Student Association has called a special election to be held Monday-Thursday of next week. The issue to be voted upon: adding the Student Alumni Association President as a member of USUSA’s Executive Council.

The current SAA President, Oakman Kennedy, was appointed. Adding the position to the USUSA EC will allow students to elect a representative who will oversee Aggie alumni relations. If approved, the changes would take effect beginning in the 2016

— Jeffrey Dahdah is a junior majoring in journalism. His grandfather was forced out of Palestine to Jordan by the Israeli occupation.

He maintains Jordanian citizenship as a result.

Contact him at dahdahjm@gmail.com.

Goals are worth making

This is my last newspaper at

I can’t change Utah State.

Mariah Noble the past, and dwell I’ve had goals of creating ing too much on content worthy of winning something you national and regional awards, can’t change will From bring you misery. winning over the respect of the our critics, trying to increase I’ve tried to make professionalism and increasing chief up for my losses, the pride of those who work and now it’s time for our organization. to move on.

Last week I was helping my Even though I boyfriend study for his evolumake mistakes, I’m tion final, and we talked about still fit to succeed in how there are no “Darwinian this world, and so demons,” which basically reis this student-run fers to perfect organisms with newspaper. And so every advantageous trait. They are those who read can’t exist because everything this column. comes with trade-offs. For example, a We often feel inadequate and focus fish can either be a sprinter or a have a in on the things we’re not good at, but high endurance for distance. If it’s large, just because we’re not perfect, it doesn’t it can’t hide as easily from predators. The mean we’re bad at what we do. Life is list goes on and on. about learning.

It’s the end of my undergraduate ca- Our newspaper and the individuals reer, and I’m not a Darwinian demon. who contribute to it have already won I’ve experienced a lot of trade-offs. I’m a multiple regional awards for our work better writer than I am a public speaker. this year, are finalists to win more and I’m hesitant to make up my mind, which have a really good chance at becoming sometimes causes me to miss out on opportunities that could enrich my life.

jSee GOALS, Page 11

Special election allows voices Letters to be heard in timely manner to the editor

I have been to the West Bank. I have family there. Israeli soldiers patrol the borders with guns. Israeli officials control the water distribution. Palestinians have to travel to other countries to fly anywhere and are given bright green passports so that they are easily identified.

Israel has lit Gaza on fire. Israel has made life so inconvenient for Palestinians that they leave their homeland. Israel controls and oppresses Palestinians who in turn get no vote on Israeli leaders. Then Palestinians are painted as the problem.

So I’m going to call it what it is. It is ethnic cleansing. It is genocide. And it is working.

This is how I take it: on our campus yesterday, there was a demonstration in support of a genocide. I’m sure somebody will come to me and dispute this. I’m sure someone will tell me that how I take it was not the intent of the cake.

But that is how I, as a Palestinian, take it.

You can be indifferent. You can disagree. If you do, by all means, eat your damn cake.

USUSA View USUSA Elections, with SAA Vice President as a position for which students may file candidacy and campaign for election by their peers.

USUSA’s view is that the pros of holding this election now outweigh the cons. The election will allow momentum from the last USUSA EC to gain even more traction.

It also gives time during the summer months for SAA and USUSA to establish clear roles and responsibilities for those affected by

Forum letter: Pricing carbon out of my future

To the editor: As a college student, all I hear about is planning for the future. Financially, I am to prepare myself for the decades that lay ahead. With uncertainty in our current global markets, I have had to plan my economic future, and I have had to make some hard decisions.

Fortunately for me, I am planning one with cleaner energy and a healthier planet.

Fossil fuels have made my life easier and yet more complex. I truly appreciate these carbon based fuels, but at what costs? If I were

the change. When students return to school in the fall, they won’t have to worry if their views have been forgotten or put on the back burner.

“The more time we have to work on it, the better,” said President Trevor Sean Olsen.

“I am in full support of holding the election next week. It may be too late by the time fall semester rolls around to experiment with the addition of this position and fully represent the wishes of the student body.”

The move to add the SAA VP position was suggested in March. It isn’t ideal to hold a

jSee USUSA, Page 11

to plan a life with coal, oil and natural gas as my energy source, I wouldn’t have to plan far.

Our future cannot continue with fossil fuels powering our homes, cars and industry.

By pricing carbon responsibility, we can plan for a future with cleaner air, water and soil.

The true cost of carbon will only get more expensive on both our wallets and our lives.

My advice, get on the scale and weigh yourself on a carbon calculator.

Each one of us lives a different life and each one of us has a different impact on the world around us. Humans are not isolated from nature but distinctly influence it.

We can all do our part to combat climate change. Start small, and big changes will envelop your life. This is my Earth Day 2015 challenge to you.

— Darren Bingham

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Opinion

Thursday, April 23, 2015

USUSA From Page 10 special election during finals week, but it was necessary to wait until now. The 2014-15 USUSA EC was heavily criticized during its term for rushing into things.

We have learned from our mistakes and believe holding the special election any earlier would have been another example of acting before thinking.

Time was needed to develop communication strategies as well as collaboration between outgoing and incoming officers to align each piece of the puzzle before presenting a finished product.

“Having the special election now will determine how SAA and USUSA move forward,” said former USUSA President Doug Fiefia. “All stake holders will be able to know well ahead of time what their roles, responsibilities and needs are throughout the summer and fall. Hopefully students will take full advantage of this opportunity to have their voices heard by student leaders and administration.”

USUSA EC members are not the only ones anxious to hear the voices of the students for whom they advocate. Vice President for Student Services James Morales is in the process of hiring a new development officer “who will concentrate much-needed effort toward identifying private support for the division’s

Dating From Page 4 messaged me and claimed that they wanted to “get to know me,” but didn’t even bother to read about me on my profile.

It made me feel awful that people based their opinions of me only by what they saw. I don’t want anyone to look at me and just see beauty. I am so much more than that. Everyone is. It is deeply upsetting to know that this isn’t only happening to me, but to a lot of women.

Many women struggle with their body image, and that is due to the way we are trained to think about our self-worth. Selfworth should not be based on whether or not you have a Kim Kardashian butt or Kylie Jenner lips. We are all amazing, even

Horoscope

student services initiatives.”

“Pending the approval of the legislation to create a new Student Alumni Association Vice President in USUSA, the development officer will work closely with this student government leader,” Morales said. “All of the pieces of this partnership — the passing of the USUSA SAA VP legislation, the hiring of the new development officer and the integrated relationship between these two positions are all critical components to furthering the division and the university’s mission of effectively supporting student success.”

Kennedy, the current SAA President, has been invited to participate in the upcoming year’s USUSA EC meetings to further determine how the position would function if approved by the student body. Kennedy will have speaking rights but no voting rights.

A charter for the position has been drafted in preparation for a positive outcome in the special election. Pending the election results, it will be approved in the fall and amended as needed before the 2016 USUSA Elections.

Voting will begin this Monday, April 27, and end Thursday, April 30, at 3 p.m.

Students can cast their ballot in support or opposition of the proposed legislation at vote.usu.edu. Those interested in more information concerning the vote or the role of USUSA can contact Madison Maners at prandmarketing.ususa@ usu.edu. if we don’t feel it. Don’t get me wrong, increasing self-worth once it has been mercilessly beaten by society might seem like a difficult process, but I know that if you have a goal to know your worth, you will get there.

Luckily, we have an organization that helps women with this problem on campus called I Am That Girl, founded by Emily Greener and Alexis Jones. According to its mission statement, I Am That Girl’s purpose is to turn self-doubt into self-love.

“Every day, girls are bombarded with messages that attack what she is not,” Jones said, “and we work everyday to help her love who she is — to see that in herself and inspire that in others.”

—Monica Delatorre is a freshman majoring in creative writing. For more information about I Am That Girl, please contact her at monica.a.delatorre@gmail.com.

play. Show up at a book signing and talk to people. Do something to surround yourself with interesting strangers.

longtime sweetheart needs help with a project. Mars ensures you’ll earn good karma helping out.

Scorpio: Oct. 24 - Nov. 21 You’re struggling to make yourself understood as the moon makes communication a bit more difficult. Maybe your partner isn’t listening to you, and you need more support with something. Or perhaps your coworkers are ignoring you. The sun says keep speaking up.

Aquarius: Jan. 20 - Feb. 18 You’ll receive good news about something, and you deserve it. Maybe you’ll land a new job or get a generous raise at your current job. Or if you’ve been trying for a baby, you and your spouse might finally get lucky. Something fun is happening, courtesy of Mercury.

Virgo: Aug. 23 - Sept.

22 Mars says don’t let other people influence your relationship too much.

Sometimes it’s better to keep recent developments to yourself. Don’t tell your circle of friends everything that is going on, and avoid giving fuel to nosy family members who might spread gossip.

Sagittarius: Nov. 22 Dec. 21 You’ll be drawn to the arts as Mercury turns your attention toward the finer things. Invite your friends to a musical, theater or comedy event. Or spend some hours reading up on great artists from the past. Indulge your creative whimsy.

Pisces: Feb. 19 - March 20 Don’t sweat the small stuff this week, even if you do feel terribly annoyed about something.

Put it into perspective.

Maybe your honey isn’t a total loser just because he refuses to do his share of chores. A moon opposition says chill out.

Libra: Sept. 23 - Oct. 23 Friendly Mercury is increasing your need to be social. Don’t sit at home alone, moping into a pint of ice cream.

Attend a concert, an art gallery opening or a

Capricorn: Dec. 22 Jan.19 You could have a chance to share your wisdom with others.

Maybe a friend will ask to be mentored in something. Or perhaps your

— Jennifer Shepherd, the Lipstick Mystic®, is an astrologer and columnist with over 2 million readers. For mystical fun and psychic insights visit www.lipstickmystic. com.

From Page 10 your originality and your sense of fun.

Leo: July 23 - Aug. 22 You’ll insist on getting your way, and you won’t allow anything or anyone to interfere. Sassy Saturn is inspiring you to take action in bold ways. Maybe you want to make some changes in your workplace or in your home. Do it.

Page11

Goals From Page 10 a Pacemaker, the top national award for newspapers. That’s something to be proud of.

We’ve done significantly more good than harm, and I feel confident with that.

As a soon-to-be graduate of USU, my advice to you is to let go of the things you can’t control, and be proud of who you are.

Study From Page 4 and you’re not going to retain as much information at all.”

To avoid cramming, Mortimer suggested making a schedule, including time for eating and sleeping, and then sticking to it rather than doing everything at the last minute.

“If you don’t like scheduling, find time in your day just to do little pieces of your homework instead of waiting until the end of dead week,” Mortimer said.

Layton said scheduling time for fun and relaxation is also important in order to avoid becoming too stressed about upcoming tests.

“College is supposed to be

News

Make goals that you yourself really want to accomplish in your next 10 years of life. Go somewhere you can think clearly and write them down.

My goals are far-reaching and random. Some of them have nothing to do with my major. Some of them I’ll try and change my mind about. But what matters is that I’m trying.

— Mariah Noble is the editor-in-chief of The Utah Statesman. She graduates in a little more than a week and has absolutely loved working with her staff this year. Contact her at m.noble@ aggiemail.usu.edu.

fun,” Layton said. “You can’t sit there and focus and study all day or else you’re going to get burned out, and then you’re not going to want to do stuff.”

Going outside, leaving the study area or dorm room and getting some physical exercise are good ways to take a break, let the brain rest and get the blood pumping again, Derbique said.

“Do something completely opposite of what you’re doing,” Layton said. “So if you’re like, studying, reading a book, go outside for 15 minutes.”

Everyone has different ways to study for tests, and different people have different ways of learning, so it’s important to find a way that is comfortable to study with and helps the student retain information.

Taking good notes, study

From Page 1 Paying attention to what happens on city and county levels is just as important as being informed on a national and international scale for students, Cann said.

“If your city government decides that they’re not going to repair their roads, that probably has a bigger impact on your dayto-day life ... in ways that the federal may not affect your daily life,” he said.

Reading a mainstream newspaper daily can also give a general survey of what is going on and is something students should strive to do every day, Cann said.

Choosing a news outlet and following it daily is another way to be constantly informed without rigorous effort on the student’s part, he said.

“Students being involved and paying attention to what’s happening in local politics is important because with a little bit of information students can come, they can participate, they can vote and they can serve not only their own interests but the interests of generations of students to come,” Cann said.

ing a little bit at a time, taking breaks and breaking up homework into sections are common ways that many students use in preparation for finals.

“Everyone has to find their own way to study,” Mortimer said, “This is my personal way of studying. It’s intense and it works for me, but everyone just has to find a way that they’re comfortable studying with.”

Dead week can be one of the most stressful times of the semester for some students, but getting an early start and studying well in advance for finals can reduce that stress, Layton said.

“Take snacks when you study,” she said. “It makes it better.”

— miranda.lorenc@ gmail.com

A basic part of being educated is being informed, said Veronica Ward, a political science associate professor. She said being informed includes understanding not only what happens in the U.S. but issues and concerns around the world.

“It is a basic part of being an educated citizen, with the emphasis on citizen,” Ward said. “How can you be a good citizen if you are ill-informed? And yet then you are presented with having to vote into office individuals who could make decisions that could dramatically affect your life.”

Ward said she believes that if there were some way that each student was required to take at least one class on global issues during their undergraduate career, many more people would see the need to be involved and informed.

“Maybe they could first ask themselves, ‘When I look at my own life, are there certain parts of my life as a consumer that really affect me? Because I buy clothes, electronic devices. Let me check where they are being made,’” Ward said. “That’s much more direct ... That would be a really immediate way to be informed.”

— mandy.m.morgan@ aggiemail.usu.edu

The BackBurner

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Thursday, April 23, 2015

Calendar

Submit events at usustatesman.com/events.

Thursday, April 23 • • • • • •

High: 68 | Low : 43 | Cloudy

EMT Training Program | EMT Utah Logan Campus | $895, 6:00 pm What is Occupational Therapy? | USU HPER Building | Free, 7:00 pm Symphony Orchestra | Kent Concert Hall, Chase Fine Arts Center, USU Campus | $0$10, 7:30 pm The Changing Climates of the Arts and Sciences | Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art | Free, All Day Fifty Works for Fifty States | Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art | Free, All Day Where We Live | Logan Fine Art Gallery | Free, All Day

Friday, April 24

• • • • •

• • • • • •

Saturday, April 25

• • • • • • • •

High: 66 | Low : 37 | Rainy

Utah Dance Fest | Mountain Crest High School | $7-$12. Family passes available, 8:00 am Story Time | North Logan City Library | Free, 10:00 am Storytime at Willow ParkZoo | Willow Park Zoo, Logan UT | $0.50, 11:30 am Devenie Natoli | St. John s Episcopal Church | Free, 6:00 pm Pulse (Dance) | Ellen Eccles Theater-Cache Valley Center for the Arts | $6-$12. $12Adults, $6 K- Univ., $25 for Family of Five, 7:00 pm Skating on A Dream | George S. Eccles Ice Center | $5-$8. $5 General Seating; $8 Reserved Seating, 7:30 pm Brian Regan | Dee Glen Smith Spectrum | $40-$45, 8:00 pm The Antics Comedy Improv | Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre | $5, 9:30 pm The Changing Climates of the Arts and Sciences | Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art | Free, All Day Fifty Works for Fifty States | Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art | Free, All Day Where We Live | Logan Fine Art Gallery | Free, All Day

• • • •

This issue dedicated to:

High: 57 | Low : 37 | Rainy

Utah Dance Fest | Mountain Crest High School | $7-$12. Family passes available, 7:00 am Balanced Man Triathlon | USU HPER Building | $30-$80, 9:00 am Baby Farm Animals | American West Heritage Center | $5.50, 10:00 am 9th Annual Family Fun Run | Wellsville City Center | $10-$60. see flyer, 10:00 am Get Ready for Camp! | Logan Scout Shop | Free, 10:00 am Katherine Maxwell | Tippetts Gallery Balcony | Free, 1:00 pm Estelle Carr’s Spring Recital | USU Fine Arts Center 214 | Free, 6:00 pm Pulse (Dance) | Ellen Eccles Theater-Cache Valley Center for the Arts | $6-$12. $12Adults, $6 K- Univ., $25 for Family of Five, 7:00 pm Skating on A Dream | George S. Eccles Ice Center | $5-$8. $5 General Seating; $8 Reserved Seating, 7:30 pm The Changing Climates of the Arts and Sciences | Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art | Free, All Day Fifty Works for Fifty States | Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art | Free, All Day Where We Live | Logan Fine Art Gallery | Free, All Day

Katelin Allen | junior | marketing | Farmington, UT

Monday, April 27

• •

High: 66 | Low : 37 | Sunny

Finals Where We Live | Logan Fine Art Gallery | Free, All Day

Tuesday, April 28

• • •

High: 73 | Low : 43 | Sunny

Finals EMT Training Program | EMT Utah Logan Campus | $895, 6:00 pm Where We Live | Logan Fine Art Gallery

SPECIAL ELECTION WHEN IS IT?

WHAT ARE WE VOTING ABOUT?

MONDAY APRIL 27

Addition of

through

THURSDAY APRIL 30

@

3PM

STUDENT ALUMNI ASSOCIATION VICE PRESIDENT to Executive Council

Vote @ vote.usu.edu