Utah Statesman The
Utah State University • Logan, Utah
Black Student Union reflects on past at A Night of Soul
Gymnastics coach turning program around
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Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014
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Candidates present plans to Greek community 4By Katie Larsen
staff writer Candidates for USU Student Association elected positions met in the Greek town hall meeting Monday night to discuss ways to improve USU for students. Incumbent USU/SA President Doug Fiefia discussed his campaign to lower cost of tuition for student by bringing down the tuition level from 13 to 12 credits. “At 12, we receive all of our financial aid and scholarships,” Fiefia said. “I would work to. bring the plateau from 13 to 12, and that would mean more money in your bank account and less paying tuition.” Candidates Ryan Lambert and Josh LeFevre also presented their platforms for uniting students and helping students to become more involved. “My platform is very general, but we have a very unique opportunity at
Utah State to get involved and I just want to reach out to more students,” Lambert said. “My Join the conversation @utahstatesman.com greatest qualification is that I am just a regular student. I participate in a lot of the same activities, and I would represent students and what they do.” LeFevre also discussed the importance of communication from students. “I think that it’s important to not only get feedback at a council levels, but also on the grassroot level, as well as offering a direct line of communi
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Taylor Murray photo BUSINESS SENATOR CANDIDATE SPENCER STEVENS answers questions as moderator Kevin Webb looks on Monday night at the Greek Town Hall meeting.
E-Week activity exceeds expectations Community night seeks to reach out to people through pinewood derby, educational activities
Pageant highlights women of engineering
4By Maile Burnett Hundreds gathered in the Taggart In the Know Student Center on Thursday night for Read more about Engineering Week’s Engineering Week annual Community Night. 400 people @ utahstatesman.com were expected, but that number was well exceeded, said Taylor Bybee, president of the Engineering Council. “This is the best turnout we’ve had in the four years we’ve done it,” he said. The event was previously held in the engineering building, but this year the council upgraded to the larger TSC, according to Riley Bradshaw. There were several new events for reaching out to the community. “We looked for groups, businesses, and student projects that were able to demonstrate, kind of hands-on, what engineering is,” Bybee said. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers put on a pinewood derby competition with the help of the American Nuclear Society, the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. There were two classes, one with standard Boy Scout rules, and an open class where anything was allowed. In the open class, cars had everything from propellers to electric motors, in all sorts of styles. There were cash prizes for the top three in each category. The competition was open to anyone in the community, but many of the participants were USU students. According to Bruce Hoffman, the president of ASME, they had about 45 participants. This was the competition’s first year, but Hoffman said it will probably continue. Another new competition challenged high school students to build bridges, sponsored by the Environmental Engineering Department and the American Society of Civil Engineers. Mitch Dabling, a junior in civil engineering and a member of ASCE, said the competition
Dancing to Justin Timberlake’s “I’m Bringing Sexy Back,” Olivia Leonhardt, a junior in mechanical engineering, prepared alongside fellow contestants for the Society of Women Engineer’s Miss USU Beauty Pageant that began 6 p.m. in the TSC Ballroom. “I’m really excited see everybody else’s talent,” Leonhardt said. “There’s this witty humor with engineers that you don’t get to see on the surface too much, but some of these girls are hilarious.” This pageant marked the seventh year the Society of Women Engineers has organized the event as part of Engineering Week and the first year the pageant was held in the ballroom. “I was actually around when they started this,” said pageant judge Wendy Merkley. “I’ve been here forever and to see how far it has come is really neat. This is the coolest pageant we have ever had.” The first section of the competition scored girls based on the performance of their “nerdy” talent. “My goal is not to make everyone laugh until they cry, but a few chuckles here and there would be nice,” said mechanical engineering sophomore Emma Davis. “I’m more like, ‘Let’s just wing it while we’re at it. We’re in college, let’s have fun.’” The second section of the competition featured the contestants dressed in professional attire and required them to answer questions that would be used in an interview setting. “I’m most nervous about getting a question that can’t answer, that I can’t think of on the spot,” said mechanical engineering junior Starr Fowler. “Everything else I’m fine with.” The final section of the competition was evening wear, which according to Leonhardt, was the most challenging section. “I’m nervous for walking around in heels,” Leonhardt said. “That’s kind of the hardest part of
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staff writer
Meghann Nixon photo OBSERVERS AND JUDGES watch the cars race down the track at the pinewood derby Thursday night at Engineering Community Night in the TSC Ballroom. Community night was one of the final events of Engineering Week.
4By Katie Larsen staff writer
Campus protest raises sexual assault awareness 4By Katie Larsen staff writer
Carrying neon-colored signs and calling out chants, Take Back the Night participants marched across the USU campus at 5 p.m. Friday to raise awareness for sexual assault and abuse. “It’s so neat to learn about what we can do as professionals and students to end violence on campus,” said Kellie Rieben, an event organizer. “To activate students to participate in this event on campus to raise awareness, because these are topics that people don’t want to talk about, they don’t want to discuss. I think it makes people uncomfortable to
realize that even Cache Valley, even in Utah, we are facing a lot of the same issues and problems a lot of other schools are facing, that one in four college women will be raped or sexually assaulted just for going to college.” Take Back the Night was organized by USU’s Center for Women and Gender and Sexual Assault and Abuse Information agents as part of V-Day, a movement to end violence against women and girls. “You can’t stop it completely if people aren’t aware, so they are basically two sides of the same coin,” said Candi Carter-Olson, a USU journalism and communication professor. The event began with a march
beginning outside the Merrill-Cazier Library and ending in the TSC Access and Diversity Center. “I was in the library, and I walked out and I saw all these people marching with signs and I followed them because, you know, how can you not follow a large group of people carrying signs and chanting something?” said USU student Taylor Harman. “So you know, I thought it was cool.” The remainder of the event was a program that hosted a variety of speakers, including personal experiences shared by Leah Adkins. “I want to thank you for being willing to go out there and raise your
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Mikayla Kapp photo THE TAKE BACK THE NIGHT protest paraded through campus Friday evening to raise awareness of Utah’s rape statistics.
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In brief Campus & Community
The Police Blotter Friday, Feb. 14
Logan woman dies in snowmobiling accident
• Police arrested an individual for an outstanding warrant. The individual was transported to the Cache County Jail to be booked.
A Logan woman died after she was thrown from a snowmobile over the weekend. Raysha Nielson, 21, was snowmobiling with friends Saturday in the Hilldale Canyon east of Franklin, Idaho. Nielsen was a passenger on a snowmobile. David Fryar of the Franklin County Sheriff ’s Office said while the driver of the snowmobile was making a turn, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and hit a tree. Witnesses said Nielsen was not responsive after the accident.
Saturday, Feb. 15
Herbert deemed most popular U.S. governor
America’s governors are meeting in Washington, D.C., and Utah’s Gov. Gary Herbert may be the most popular person in the room. A blog in The Washington Post calls Herbert the most popular governor in the country, largely based on approval ratings with his constituents. “A poll last month showed Herbert’s favorable rating at a sterling 73 percent, and he destroys all potential 2016 opponents in a head-to-head matchup,” wrote Chris Cillizza, who contributes to the Post’s political blog, The Fix.
Paraglider dies in accident
A Farmington man died Sunday after a paragliding accident near the Cedar Valley Airport, according to the Utah County Sheriff ’s Office. Ronald Carter, 54, was paragliding at approximately 5:45 p.m. when he crashed near Allen’s Ranch Road roughly 5 miles south of State Route 73, Utah County Sheriff ’s Lt. Yvette Rice said. Carter died on impact, Rice said.
Deputy shooting suspect, 17, appears in court
A 17-year-old girl charged with murder in the death of Utah County Sheriff ’s Sgt. Cory Wride appeared in court for the first time Monday. Meagan Grunwald has been charged as an adult in Wride’s death as well as the shooting of Utah County sheriff ’s deputy Greg Sherwood. She is facing 14 charges, including six first-degree felonies that carry potential life sentences. She is also charged with obstructing justice.
4Compiled
from staff and media reports
The policy of The Utah Statesman is to correct any error made as soon as possible. If you find something you would like clarified or find in error, please contact the editor at 797-1742, statesman@aggiemail.usu.edu or come in to TSC 311.
Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014
• USU Police responded to Aggie Village on a possible domestic dispute. Police investigated and found the problem to be more of a civil dispute than domestic related. Police are following up on the incident. Sunday, Feb. 16 • Police observed two students acting suspiciously near the dumpsters outside Mountain View Tower. Further investigation revealed that they had just dumped some empty beer cans. Later, they were found inside Mountain View Tower just as they were exiting a dorm. A strong odor of burnt marijuana could be detected and coming from the room as well as on one of the individual’s person. A consent to search the room was obtained and two more individuals were located inside the room. A marijuana pipe was found in one individual’s
Contact USU Police at 797-1939 for non-emergencies. Anonymous reporting line: 797-5000 EMERGENCY NUMBER: 911
drawer. In another drawer, a plastic container with marijuana was inside. The four individuals were all arrested for either possession of marijuana, possession of paraphernalia or both. They were cited and released and the evidence was seized and placed into evidence.
room resulted in the discovery of a homemade bong that had been used for smoking marijuana. The student was cited for possession of drug paraphernalia and released.
Tuesday, Feb. 18
• USU Police responded to Mountain View Tower after getting an anonymous tip that there was a strong odor of marijuana. Police contacted two suspects in the area. A strong odor of burnt marijuana was coming from inside their room. In addition to the odor of marijuana the individuals were trying to mask the odor by burning incense. The two suspects surrendered their marijuana and drug paraphernalia to police. One individual was cited for possession of marijuana and paraphernalia and the other individual was cited for possession of marijuana.
• An individual was cited and released for trespassing on campus. The individual has had numerous verbal warnings in the immediate past about trespassing by Student Services and USU Police. • Police are investigating a report by an individual who had been kicked in the behind by an unknown male individual. The male individual then ran down the alleyway toward the cemetery. Wednesday, Feb. 19 • USU Police responded to Richards Hall on a report of a suspicious odor coming from one of the rooms. A student in one of the rooms had been smoking marijuana in the bathroom. The student was contacted and a search of his
Thursday, Feb. 20
• USU Police received a delayed report of an ongoing theft from vending machines located throughout the campus. Police are investigating
4Compiled by Marissa Neeley
Community
night is how it shows students what a profession like engineering is like, Neilson said. “It gets them thinking, ‘I might From Page 1 want to do that,’” he said. was an effort to get more high school Another first-time event that reached out to the community students to community night. The team of four students from was the erosion table set up by the Logan High School who won the E-Council. The E-Council starts planbridge competition took home a $100 ning community night as soon as the cash prize. Their bridge held 1,727 school year starts, but each year they also try to have their own display pounds of force before breaking. to draw attention Their teacher, to the week. The Drew Neilson, Riley Bradshaw table was set up encouraged all his in the engineering E-Council member students to come building Tuesday to community for students to night and see what enjoy during the engineers do. week. “One of the big “It’s been fun gest comments I to watch college get is, ‘I don’t know students stand what I want to do,’” there and miss Neilson said. class to play in The biggest the sandbox,” said value of events Riley Bradshaw, a member of the like community
“
It’s been fun to watch college students stand there and miss class to play in the sandbox.
WESLEY AND PRESTON HODSON play at the erosion table with their dad at Thursday’s Engineering Community night.
E-Council. The Beta Bowl put on by Tau Beta Pi has been a part of community night in the past as a Jeopardy-like competition for engineering students. Rick Cressall, the president of Tau Beta Pi, said this year they
wanted to involve the community, and this time, anyone was able to participate in a round to win a Chickfil-A gift card and a cow plushie.
S t e f f e n iation or I don’t Saffron, a peer know what to educator with say.’ Just say, ‘No, SAVVI, talked I will be someone Follow us on about the power of advocacy. I Twitter of advocacy for @UtahStatesman will be somebody sexual assault who will stand and rape victims. up if I hear some “I think what one has been sexwe can do is to number one, say I am ually assaulted or raped if there is willing to take a stand,” she said. any domestic violence anywhere.’ “I’m willing to try to get help for That can’t be allowed in your book. someone instead of walking away If we don’t act on it, it will keep on and saying, ‘Oh, I don’t want to going.” get involved. There might be retal- Dr. Taira Koybaeva, founder and
CEO of diversity business group Go Global Fast, LLC, also discussed ways victims can find solace. “If and when it happens, it is something that can not even be actively described because it is like a diamond inside of you,” Koybaeva said. “The inner development of the heart is a precious thing. Such people become a blessing because only they can understand how another one can feel.”
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Night
Meghann Nixon photo
Get Social
From Page 1 voices and stand up,” Adkins said. “Before I was a college student, I was date-raped. I was engaged to him, I said no, and I felt responsible and I was made to feel responsible many years after. You are not responsible. If you say no, no means no. It does not just stop. It does not just stop with date rape.”
– mburnett@aggiemail.usu.edu @BurnettMaile
– katherine.l.larsen@gmail.com
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USU/SA candidates address residents 4By Christopher Nicholson staff writer
USU/SA candidates addressed questions and concerns of on-campus housing residents at a town hall meeting Wednesday night. Many centered around future improvements to publicizing campus events and resources and improving relations between residents and administrators. Doug Fiefia, the incumbent student body president, is being challenged by Ryan Lambert and Joshua LeFevre. Fiefia spoke of his initiatives to work with both the student body as a whole and individual students, such as speaking at every Student Orientation, Advising and Registration session last summer and serving as a peer mentor to more than 60 freshmen. “I email them every week and tell them about events, make sure they’re visiting with their advisers, studying, and so on,” he said. “The freshman experience is near and dear to my heart.” All the candidates agreed it was important to help students get involved in campus events. LeFevre said resident assistants and administrators should be
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Tradition, empowerment part of pageant
trained about what upcoming events the university has to offer. “That way, when students have questions, they go to you and know how to get involved,” he said. “It builds a bond, and students will have a better experience.” Lambert said 30 percent of USU students live in student housing, and there are three types of them. “There are those who are always involved, those who aren’t, and the people in the middle who don’t hear about stuff or don’t feel capable,” he said. “We need to focus on reaching out to people.” Executive vice president candidates Matthew Ditto and Spencer Steadman differed in their approaches to the position. “The Executive VP should be that
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Greek From Page 1 cation between student activities and administration so we don’t have activities one year so we have more consistency,” LeFevre said. The meeting began with the College of Agriculture and Applied Science senator candidates. Katharine Nye, a dairy science and agriculture leadership major, addressed the challenges of uniting all of the majors from her college. “I want to make sure agricultural science students are heard,” Nye said. “I want to get people to talk to each other.” Geoff Andrews, a candidate for Organizations and Campus Diversity vice president, presented a solution to club leadership disorganization by having USU clubs connected through an online program. “You can log in and have an updated club list and
Nick Carpenter photos SARAH FRANCOM, left, is crowned Miss American Indian USU Monday night in the TSC Ballroom. At right, Lindsey June-Hall, Miss American Indian USU 2012-13, plays the violin as part of the program.
through this website, send a request like Facebook and receive information,” he said. “It would make it ten times easier to join clubs.” The only candidate for Athletics and Campus Recreation VP, Dallin Laird, addressed issues students would encounter with campus recreation. “I want to be completely open, there were a few things left out in the design plan — a rock wall and a lot of other things,” Laird said. “There’s an issue about fields not being there for club sports in the winter time. I want to start working out and make sure our club sports have somewhere to work out on the fields.” Another issue that was addressed was the decrease in student attendance in sporting events. “The Spectrum does have 4,000 seats, and that is tough to fill for every game, but I will work to make it fun for students to be there early, whether that be an actual campout or tailgate party, whatever it is,” Laird said. – katherine.l.larsen@gmail.com
Pageant From Page 1 my whole entire female life.” Biological engineering senior Sydney Bone was crowned Engineering Queen. “I was shocked actually,” Bone said. “I was really shocked. Everyone was so talented. I honestly didn’t really expect it.” The first runner-up was mechanical engineering sophomore Hannah Young. “I had never really performed in front of people before except for once,” Young said. “This was new for me and I enjoyed it. I would love to do this again next year.” Awards were also given to Leonhardt for “most talented nerd,” mechanical engineering freshman Michelle Tucker for “most likely to succeed,” civil
engineering junior Ploy Samranjit for “best dressed” and mechanical engineer freshman Liz Housley for “crowd favorite.” According to Merkley, it was difficult to choose winners for each category. “It is actually really hard, you have to get really nit-picky,” Merkley said. “They all do a really good job and you have to start picking at silly things to differentiate.” According to Chamberlain, the goal of the pageant was to break down stereotypes about female engineering students. “I love that it highlights the enginnering girls,” Chamberlain said. “Everyone knows that there’s not very many, but that’s about all they know about them. Everybody knows engineering is hard and there’s a lot of homework. I’m hoping this will kind of show that our girls don’t only do homework. They have talents, they are fun, they like to dress up sometimes and showcase their personalities beyond the classroom.”
– katherine.l.larsen@gmail.com
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A Night of Soul: BSU remembers its roots
Founders of USU club address students about importance of black history 4By Diego Mendiola staff writer
Riley Densley photos USU’S BLACK STUDENT UNION held its annual event Friday in the TSC. Student Paul Perry (top left) played his saxophone. Shalayna Guisao and Jeunee Roberts sit with guest speakers and founders of the club, Roietta Goodwin and George Tribble (bottom left). Ami Meite and Izzy Beyene (top right) also performed a modern African dance.
The Black Student Union held its yearly event “A Night of Soul” at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the TSC Ballroom. Along with having food and music, two of the founders of the BSU were invited to speak this year. Roietta Goodwin, a founder of the BSU in 1969, said it started as a black emphasis week as part of the black student movement in the 1960s and 1970s. One of the BSU’s first accomplishments was getting an African-American professor on the USU campus. Goodwin said she has had the pleasure of meeting Rosa Parks and witnessing Dr. Martin Luther King’s and Jesse
Jackson’s speeches. “We felt it was very important for other people to view our history, because all of our history is American history,” said George Tribble, another of the original organizers of the BSU. Tribble said history books written about African-American people are usually about slavery rather than the things they overcome or the successes they’ve had, but he said it’s important to highlight these things. “Black history is everywhere,” Tribble said. “We just need the opportunity to experience it.” Through the efforts of the BSU, Tribble said he wanted to inspire youth by
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Disc golf tournament raises funds for girl’s kidney transplant 4By Hillary Newton staff writer
When she was 9 years old, Evie Wentz was in the final stages of kidney failure due to hemolytic uremic syndrome. She found a kidney donor and received a transplant one week ago. This past weekend, more than 50 men and women joined together to raise money for Evie with a disc golf tournament. The Children’s Organ Transplant Association helps kids receiving organ-transplants and their families with major medi-
cal expenses throughout the U.S. Tyler Wentz is an active member in the Cache Valley Disc Golf League and Evie’s father. While attending USU, he helped bring the first disc golf course to Cache County. “Tyler was one of the firsts in the valley,” said Kirk Salisbury, a board member for the league. “This was a great way to show them our gratitude and help.” Salisbury had the idea to host the tournament last Saturday in honor of Evie. 100 percent of the funds raised were to be given to the Wentz family to help with
medical expenses. The course used for the tournament, held at the Cache County Fairgrounds, was created from baskets brought by league members. The tournament received support from the community and outsiders. More than $1,250 worth of prizes were donated from businesses around Cache Valley as incentives for participants. More than 50 players came from as far as Salt Lake City and Idaho Falls, with the youngest partici
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Taylor Murray photo DISC GOLF ENTHUSIASTS competed Saturday to raise money for a child from Cache Valley.
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Disc Golf
County Fairgrounds. Jeff Wigington, a sophomore majoring in mechanical engineering, began disc golf a year ago after playing ultimate Frisbee for numerous years. From Page 4 He said it began to become difficult getting pant being 8 years old. The league was hoping to enough people out to play ultimate Frisbee, esraise a couple thousand dollars to add to COTA’s pecially during the cold winter months in Logan. Then he discovered disc golf. goal of raising $45,000. “So we’re going to make a little dent in the (char- “It is tough to not have a huge group, but with disc golf, it is quite different,” Wigington said. ity),” Salisbury said. The league meets year-round every Saturday “Normally, my wife will even come and play.” Saturday’s tournament was played despite the morning, as well as Wednesdays during the sumlight snow. Participants said mer months. Salisbury said they were grateful to not only anyone is welcome to come join Kirk Salisbury play but support the Wentz in play or within the league. family as well. board member There is only one permanent Evie was grateful for the supcourse in the valley, located port she received this weekend. in Providence. However, the “I feel so happy that you would league sets up baskets and plays do that for me,” she said to parin Hyrum, on the USU campus ticipants. “I’m so thankful for and at other locations. Coursyour support and your love and es range from nine to 18 holes your kindness.” with levels from beginner to ad For more information on disc vanced. Nibley has a nine-hole golf around the cache valley, course that will be installed this visit www.cachevalleydiscgolf. spring. The CVDG is fundraiscom. ing for an 18-hole course that has been approved at the Cache – hinewton13@gmail.com
was one of “Tyler the firsts in the
valley. ... This was a great way to show them our gratitude and help.
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History From Page 4
Riley Densley photo MARVIN ROBERTS addresses students at “A Night of Soul.”
showing them and teaching about their forerunners, whose achievements and inventions were previously oppressed or once forgotten by society. “The interesting thing about this society is that whether I wanted to or not, I had to know everything about white folks,” said Marvin Roberts, vice president for Student Engagement and Diversity. “In order for me to be successful, I had to know about that aspect of American society, yet the white American didn’t have to know anything about me.” Roberts emphasized at the event the importance of learning about one another, for each other. – diego.mendiola.93@gmail.com
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Beck is back again “Morning Phase” is Beck’s first album in nearly six years. Holy Album crap. This guy is a ’90s alterCritic native rock hero. I basical8/10 ly worshiped him when I was a junior in high school. My personal blog is even titled after a Beck quote. My love for Mr. Beck Hansen has faded over time, but somewhere within, I have been waiting for this album to come for six years. Between “Morning Phase” and 2008’s “Modern Guilt,” Beck has produced multiple albums for other artists, covered entire albums with his Record Club project and has done some songs here and there for himself. Doing duets with Bats for Lashes, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Jack White and MGMT can only satisfy a fan for so long. When he announced he was releasing an album in 2014, I was ecstatic. I was a little worried, though. He said this would be a sequel to his 2002 album “Sea Change.” This was disappointing news at first. “Sea Change” is some of his best work for having a uniquely slow, depressing, layered sound. I didn’t want to hear more sad, moaning, acoustic songs from Beck. Luckily, this album keeps the instrumentation but replaces the somberness with joy. It’s the happiest Beck has ever sounded. The opening chords of “Morning” might sound exactly like Beck’s 2002 track “The Golden Age,” but the lyrics are more optimistic and he uses a higher vocal range. In fact, Beck’s voice throughout “Morning Phase” hits notes we’ve never heard him sing before. Also, the production on this album sounds huge. Most of his work from the last decade sounded like small-scale alternative radio music. No, none of these songs sound like they belong on the radio, but they demand a great pair of speakers. “Heart Is a Drum” is a pleasant surprise. Its
Scott E Hall
song structure is reminiscent of ’70s singer-songwriters like Don McLean, even post-Beatles McCartney. The lyrics are cheesy, but I think that’s the point. The overdubbed vocals on the album make his voice shine, especially on tracks like “Unforgiven” and “Waking Light.” There’s no trace of the raspy, grungy voice we used to know. However, this album has its downfalls. I don’t always connect with Beck’s lyrics here. It’s a problem he’s had for about 10 years. He reuses the same few words and cliches and tosses them around. The first words on this album are “Woke up this morning.” The chorus to “Blue Moon” simply says, “Oh, don’t leave me on my own, you left me standing all alone.” I know he’s trying to paint some imagery to his songs, but we get the point. The album’s structure is easy to understand. Each track is in its right place. The string arrangements that interlude from song to song give the album a warm, enjoyable flow. Beck speeds things up on the album’s climax “Turn Away.” It’s a great track, but I wish it had more dramatic volume. I wish some of these songs were catchier, particularly the overly complicated “Blackbird Chain.” It’s my obvious pick for least favorite track. I mentioned earlier that none of the songs here are radio-worthy, but the album has some truly great moments. The string arrangements on “Wave,” which were provided by Beck’s father Glen Campbell, required some serious musical chops to compose. The percussion on “Heart Is a Drum” is classic for driving down the highway with the window down. The album’s opening sounds so crisp, so you know the rest of the journey is going to a comfortable ride. I’m a big fan of the depressing “Sea Change” album. “Morning Phase” is a worthy sequel, hopefully a new beginning for Beck. It’s his best album in more than 10 years; an easy, joyful listen. My stingy critical side tells me this album is nothing new, but at the end of the day, this is a great “comfort food” album. Its lovable highlights outshine its weaknesses. It’s an excellent soundtrack for a sunny morning. – Scott Hall is a newcomer to the world of journalism. He is studying public relations and stage management at USU. His spare time is dedicated to music. For more, email scottehall3@gmail.com.
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Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014
Humans of USU: freshman Ammon Hooper Student recounts memories, good advice and embarrassing moments with writer from Utah Statesman The Utah Statesman interviewed Ammon Hooper, a freshman in biological engineering from Hyde Park, Utah.
from your parents? AH: Have fun … responsibly.
US: Why Utah State? AH: I got the dean’s scholarship here and I didn’t want to bother applying to anywhere else because it was so convenient and a lot cheaper. US: We caught you reading The StatesUS: You can only read one book for the man. What’s your favorite part to read? AH: Usually whatever is on the front rest of your life. What book is it? AH: It would have to be a really long page, because it’s the most currently book. I don’t know, I like “The Giver.” applicable. The politics ones are sometimes not fun to … It’s been a long time read, and then the since I’ve read it, but comics are always it’s kind of like a good, Ammon Hooper fun. dystopia movie in book form. US: What’s was your worst job? US: What’s your favorAH: I worked fast ite song connected to a food for a while. good memory? That was actually AH: I’ve listened to quite bad. It’s so “Radioactive” by Imaghot and I was getine Dragons with my ting paid minimum friends. We’ll get in wage, and it felt like whoever’s car has the I was working so most bass at the time hard. and turn it up as loud as we can, so that’s a US: Any grease song I associate with burns? hanging out with AH: Yes, daily. friends. Eventually, you just tough them out. US: If you could live in any movie, in which US: What’s your bigone would you live? gest fear? AH: Probably someAH: Probably just thing in the future not succeeding at where there’s amazing technology for me to use (and) you live life and not being able to accomplish anything. forever. Utah Statesman: What’s your favorite outdoor activity in Logan? Ammon Hooper: I like snowboarding but I don’t get to go as often as I’d like, playing soccer and ultimate Frisbee.
was at an “Iawards ceremo-
ny once and they were calling out names. I heard my name, so I started walking up and then realized they had actually said, “Ann,” or something.
”
US: If you could ask President Obama one question, what would you ask him? AH: Would he answer honestly? I don’t really know, “What do you want America to become and what does everyone have to do for that to happen?” US: What do you wish you could do to change the world? AH: I’ve been kind of interested in education, how it could be improved so that everyone can be competitive, a global market. Even better than that, making it so that everyone can succeed if possible. US: What’s the best advice you ever got
US: Most embarrassing moment? AH: I was at an awards ceremony once and they were calling out names. I heard my name, so I started walking up and then I realized they had actually said “Ann” or something similar to that, so it was me and a girl and as soon as I got to the stage, I saw her and I realized, and so I just walked back. US: Where in the world would you like to live? AH: Somewhere in Europe where it’s warm, because I love the ocean. Every time I go on a vacation or a road trip, it’s my favorite part.`
Mikayla Kapp photo
FRESHMAN AMMON HOOPER READS the Statesman in the TSC. Hooper said he usually likes what’s on the front page as well as the comics.
Pickleville Playhouse fans crowd theater 4By Scott E Hall staff writer
TAYLOR & BENTON OF LITTLE BAREFOOT & PANTHER MILK
FREE FOOD
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY
26
TSC AUDITORIUM
6:30PM
The Pickleville Playhouse acting troupe wrapped up their tour of “Bandito Rides Again” this weekend with performances at Logan’s Ellen Eccles Theatre. “Bandito Rides Again” is the sixth play Pickleville Playhouse has performed as part of their original “Bandito” series. T.J. Davis, writer of the “Bandito” series and performer of the Bandito role, said this show has been a different experience compared to other Pickleville shows. “This show has been really successful and it has to do with the cast,” Davis said. “Everyone’s individual talents have complimented each other to make it a really good show. It keeps the audience’s attention the whole time.” Blake Oyler, the show’s sound engineer, agreed. “It’s enjoyable to be part of a crew and cast that’s so close,” Oyler said. “We perform it so many times, but we treat it like it’s a new show every night.” Pickleville Playhouse has a notable fan base in Logan, said Eric Sackett, an actor from this weekend’s performances. The auditorium was almost completely filled and “Bandito” paraphernalia was being sold outside the auditorium. “The Bandito craze is strong,” Sackett said. “The Logan audience is always awesome. There’s a really big following here, so there’s always a fantastic audience.” Davis said the theater and crowd here feel like “home” to him. “You can feel it,” Davis said. “It just connects really well with the audience here.” “Bandito Rides Again” is comedy that gets the audience involved both vocally and physically. A vaudeville-esque pianist plays live background music onstage throughout the show, and the actors’ musical numbers cover a variety of musical styles. “We hope to bring a different kind of live theater experience that can’t be found anywhere else in the country,” Davis said. “We hope to bring quality, unique, completely clean entertainment. We feel it brings families together.” “It was hilarious, really fun,” said Tyler Butikofer, a junior majoring in electrical engineering. “I would come to one of these shows again.” The performances of “Bandito Rides Again” Fri-
photo courtesy of Pickleville Playhouse ACTOR DEREK DAVIS performed for fans in Logan last weekend.
day and Saturday night were the last from the tour through Logan and Salt Lake City, but they will be performing the show from June to September at their home venue in Bear Lake. “If you like to laugh, you have to come,” Sackett said. “There’s no better use of your time than coming to see ‘Bandito.’ I’ve never heard a negative comment about the show.” “Bandito Rides Again” is co-directed by T.J. and Andrea Davis. Information on summer shows can be found at picklevilleplayhouse.com. – scottehall3@gmail.com
TuesdaySports Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014 Page 7
Utah State University • Logan, Utah • www.utahstatesman.com
Gymnastics
New coach getting results in first year 4By Emily Duke
The Aggies are very optimistic about the season. “I love Nadalie,” said fresh Head coach Nadalie Walsh man gymnast Bailey McIntire. of the Utah States gymnastics “From what I’ve heard about team is leading her athletes to the team before we’ve improved victory in her first year at the so much. We just work harder reigns. Hired on June 28, 2013, and we believe and trust each Walsh is only the third head other more and she’s helped us do that. You coach in the don’t doubt history of the someone program. Nadalie Walsh who goes up Walsh has USU Gymnastics to compete.” made signif Walsh came icant differto Utah ences in the State from way the proBall State gram is being Universit y coached since in Indiana her arrival in where she June. was the head “ P o s i t i v e coach for six energy and years. Her belief in our team experiathletes is a enced success big thing,” in her years Walsh said. as head coach “Just to come in and don’t let any of them feel with six of her athletes making like they’re not good enough. 10 appearances at the NCAA We invest in every one of them Regional Championships. equally and it’s not about one Walsh had never stepped athlete who may be used to be foot in Utah until she arrived good, it’s about making every- for her interview, but she is body good and everybody has excited about being an Aggie been stepping up to the plate and for the chance to take the program to the next level. with that.” The results of the coaching “I decided when I saw that attitude have shown in the sea- the opportunity opened that son statistics. The lowest team it was definitely something score for the season was posted new and interesting and excitat the first meet against Iowa, ing,” Walsh said. “I feel like where the Aggies won with a there is such a rich culture of this school having such strong 191.750. Since then Utah State has athletics and they had a realhad six meets scoring more ly great gymnastics program than 194 points and has a sea- years ago. So I feel like that son-high score of 195.225 at was a big draw for me because a tri meet vs Air Force and I know that I’m ambitious and Seattle Pacific. USU is cur- I’ll do whatever it takes to try rently 4-4 for the season and to get it back there.” is back in Logan to take on Before going to Ball State three consecutive home meets. Walsh coached at her Alma staff writer
there “ Iisfeelsuchlikea rich culture of this school having such strong athletics.
”
Delayne Ripplinger photo Natalie Walsh Coaches Miranda Kerr during a home match Friday at the Dee Glenn Smith Spectrum.
Mater, the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. She spent two years as an assistant coach before taking over as head coach in 2004. Walsh led the Titans to the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association (NCGA) National Championship three times. UW-Oshkosh placed sixth in 2004, third in 2005 and took the championship title in 2007. Walsh started taking gymnastics when she was two years
old and nothing has been able to pull her away since. “I couldn’t stop doing it ever,” Walsh said. “All around the house and at the parks on the fields, anything my mom put me in I would always just be doing gymnastics.” Walsh performed all over the world when she was younger and when she got into high school she began to compete in more traditional level gymnastics.
She graduated and attended UW-Oshkosh and graduated with a degree in exercise science and fitness in 2000. She competed collegiately for four years at UW-Oshkosh. Her favorite event was floor because of all of the performance aspects involved. Walsh and her husband Victor have three children and are excited about the opportunity to raise them in Logan as Aggies.
“It’s a wonderful place to raise a family,” Walsh said. “We’re very outdoorsy so there’s so much to do in Utah and Logan. We’ve been able to focus on what’s important to us, which is family, so we have each other and we have all grown closer being out here together.”
– mled94@gmail.com Twitter: @emily_seamqueen
Olympics represent more than just athletics or competition In my eyes, it’s the simplest yet most For the past two and a half competition. significant logo of all-time. They are about camaraderie, Curtis Lundstrom weeks, we’ve gotten to watch Curtis Lundstrom Five colored rings. as individuals dawned a bigsportsmanship and peace. ger cause. These athletes No words, no elaborate designs; just The flags of all nations fly and we wear their country’s colors five circles each with a different color. forget about all the wars and desolation and take center stage, and Even without any knowledge of what it and famine that exist in the world for the world watches, captivatrepresents or stands for, it’s an interesting a brief moment of time. For those few ed, by each triumph … and by design. But when you begin to realize how precious days, every couple of years, the each disappointment. much significance there is behind it, it’s world pauses. We get to, as a human race, Livin’ And the greatest part is, mind-blowing. come together and enjoy each others’ the even when it’s not your coun As I watched the five rings fly atop cultures and overlook our differences. try finishing on top of the the flag pole at the closing ceremonies in dream That is why the Olympics are podium, we can all appreciSochi on Sunday, I felt genuinely sad the the greatest sporting event of all. Those ate the hard work, dedication games were over. What those five circles five rings, gently intertwined, represent a and athleticism. represent is more than the athletes, more There were 90 countries that participated world unified. than the sports. Sochi. Nearly 3,000 athletes competed for It’s so simple, yet so significant. For 17 days, the world watched in unison, in harmony. medals. Just 26 countries went home with at least one – Curtis Lundstrom is a junior majoring in journalism and Day after day, month after month, year after year, medal. That’s just 28 percent of the countries represented. communications. A passionate fan of all sports, his life humanity is bombarded with endless stories regarding Not every country goes expecting to medal. Heck, ambitions include officiating college basketball and bowlcatastrophe, war, death, famine, accidents, unrest, civil there are athletes realistic enough to know they can medal, disputes … The negativity never ends. but probably won’t end up on top of the podium. But that’s ing a perfect 300. Send any comments or questions to cur But during the Olympics, it takes a back seat. OK, because the Olympic games are about more than the tislundstrom@gmail.com, or tweet him @CurtSport07.
five “ Those rings, gently
intertwined, represent a world unified.
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StatesmanSports
Page 8
Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014
hockey
Duo now on a different kind of mission 4By Brad Ferguson
staff writer The Utah State hockey team punched its ticket this past weekend to the American Collegiate Hockey Association National Tournament in Boston on March 14-18. For Stewart Hepburn and Sam Lindquist, two players who have skated key roles for the team, the bond between teammates extends off the ice. Hepburn and Lindquist share something beyond just goals — they share an international bond. The two met on an iced-over soccer field in Sweden, playing one-onone for hours until there wasn’t light enough to play. Hepburn was serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints in the country and was allowed by his mission president to bring his skates with him on his two-year service. “When I first met Sam, he was super shy and could barely speak any English,” Hepburn said. “The Swedes play a very non-physical style of play. They don’t really hit a whole lot, and there’s hardly any fighting.” He attributes Lindquist’s
better play to the fact that there weren’t any boards to hit him into. “He was really excited to make a good friend, someone he could play hockey with, someone that could remind him of his memories in
shows that played in Sweden. Both were members of the LDS church when they first met and had made each other better people when Hepburn left the country for his home in Utah. After making a life-changing decision, Lindquist would be called to serve an LDS mission in none other than Salt Lake City, Utah. At the end of his two years of service, he got in contact with his old friend
Sweden,” Lindquist said. Lindquist played for Orebro HK of the Swedish Hockey League, the top-tier of Swedish ice hockey. The sport was their biggest connection, with the only English in Lindquist’s vocabulary coming from watching the American TV
Hepburn, or “Stew,” and asked if he could drive up to Logan for a brief visit. Lindquist’s “brief visit” lasted three days. The excursion led him to fall in love with both the campus and the valley, reminding him of the Swedish weather. After
meeting with USU hockey head coach Jon Eccles and the team, it was decided Lindquist would play for USU.
These two polarized personalities are now roommates, with stories upon stories to tell about each other. With Hepburn describing his roommate with one word, he emphasized his Swedish friend as “slow.” “He’s so slow, in everything,” Hepburn said. Hepburn said he enjoys criticizing the drawn-out way of dressing himself, since Hepburn is known by the Swede to be “very chill” since “he wears his sweats to school.” “Every morning, I’m pretty Euro; I get dressed up every day for school,” L i ndqu i st s a i d . “ Stew’s k i n d of the opposite … As the y e a r h a s b e e n going on, I’ve s e e n h i m improving a lot. He’s starting to wear shirts to school. He likes to make fun of my style, like ironing my shirt before going
to the library to study.” Anyone who has been to a game at the Eccles Ice Center knows these two feed off each other. They’ve helped improve each other’s game, in aspects such as quicker hands for Hepburn and better body checking for Lindquist.
Hepburn described and recalled the Swede’s hitting style when he first started playing for the Aggies. “The first few times he did it, he looked really bad,” Hepburn said. “He would hit with his chin and his chest,
but he’s been just crushing guys lately. It looks real good. It looks like he’s been doing it his whole life. I think he is really enjoying it. I think he likes the violence.” It may have taken both of these individuals traveling halfway around the world to meet, but the relationship and bond they constructed on an outdoor skating rink in a Scandinavian winter is the relationship and bond they hold as they travel to compete in Boston for a national championship. “We have the connection on the team being some of the only LDS guys,” Lindquist said. “Stew will surprise you. He’s a great friend of mine, and I’m grateful to play in Logan.” Hepburn is a senior this year with plans to graduate and move on to medical school this coming fall. Lindquist is a freshman and looks to spend four years in Cache Valley fighting for the Aggies on the ice.
– brad.ferguson76@gmail.com Twitter: @bradferg47
Men’s Basketball
Aggies gear up for tough road game in Pit 4By Jeffrey Dahdah
Stew Morrill
assistant sports editor
The Pit can be a very unforgiving place. San Diego State found that out last week along with 10 other teams that have left New Mexico with a bad taste. The Utah State men’s basketball team is going to experience the Pit for the first time on Tuesday. “Obviously it’s a tough challenge, but as a basketball player you should enjoy it. The Pit is one of the great environments, probably one of the top 10, in college basketball,” said USU head coach Stew Morrill. “They’ve had great teams through the years and they have another great team right now. I think right now, they’re probably playing better than anybody. They are just so effective at every position.” New Mexico breached the
“
USU basketball
We have to decide whether we we want to play it out or play to win.
”
AP Top-25 this week. The No. 25 Lobos have won five straight home games and the Aggies are riding a three game losing streak. “We’re not the most confident group right now,” Morrill said. “We have to decide whether we want to just play it out or play to win.” The Aggies lost a close game on Saturday in the Spectrum to Fresno State, dropping them to 5-10 in conference
play. The loss came despite shooting 50.8 percent from the field and scoring 42 of their 76 points in the paint. However, it wasn’t enough as they allowed the Bulldogs to score 79 points. “We played good enough offense to win the game, but we just couldn’t guard them, or wouldn’t guard them,” Morrill said after the game. “They just went around us, When we tried to play zone, they hit a three. Our defense was lacking.” The Aggies will have to find a way to slow Cameron Bairstow, who shredded the Aggies on Jan. 28 in the Spectrum. Bairstow had 22 points and 4 blocks in New Mexico’s 78-65 rout of Utah State. Bairstow averages 20.5 points per game, a total that is first in the Mountain West. “He’s really good. We didn’t have anybody to guard him,”
said Morrill about Bairstow after USU’s first meeting with New Mexico. “That’s a really good basketball team. They pretty much dominated both halves.” USU has oscillated this season between stellar defense coupled with dismal offense and high scoring games with little defensive pressure. They have rarely seen the scoring and the defense coincide. Last week the Aggies scored 45 points on Tuesday, but 76 on Saturday. If USU is to match up defensive prowess with offensive explosiveness, it will rest in the paint. With much of New Mexico’s scoring coming from their big men, the Aggies will have to dominate scoring in the paint, which they did on Saturday against Fresno State by a 42-28. In the two teams’ first meeting New Mexico won without their starting center Alex Kirk. He missed the game due to injury. This time he will be playing, causing an even bigger challenge for the Aggies down low. “He presents problems because he can face up and shoot it. He’s so big down low,” Morrill said. “During his career, he’s gotten better and better at the low post. I watched them play Nevada on tape, and both their big guys had almost 30 points. If you don’t guard their big guys, the game is over right there. You have to do a good job on them.” Senior center Jarred Shaw is averaging 14.6 points per game and sophomore forward Kyle Davis is averaging 9.6. Davis also grabbed a personal best 15 rebounds last week. USU will need a great performance overall to compete in the Pit. The Aggies have one road win in conference play, which came against Colorado State earlier this month. However, Shaw does not think his team will shy
Kylee Larsen photo
Sophomore Forward Kyle Davis throws down a dunk in the Aggies 79-76 loss to Fresno State on Saturday. Davis had a career-high 15 rebounds in the game.
“I’m up for the challenge,” Shaw said. “I don’t back down from anyone. I look at it as another opportunity to get a win. So I’ll be going down with that mindset, and hopefully we can get a win.”
The Aggies lead the all-time series 19-5 over the Lobos. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday. – dahdahjeff@gmail.com Twitter: @dahdahjeff
StatesmanSports
Page 9
Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014
Congratulations Jen
Utah State senior guard sets Mountain West Conference single-season scoring record
664 44 22.5 155
Schlott’s current point total this season. The previous single-season record was held by Utah’s Kim Smith with 655. Schlott’s career-high in points which she scored Dec.19th against UCSB. Schlott’s average points per game total this season which is currently fourth in the country. Schlott’s assist total this season which is USU’s single-season assist record.
Apply for the
FJ Management Scholarship Available to any USU student • Recipients receive a cash award, up to $5,000 per year • Scholarship recipients must be a former or current employee, or the spouse or child of a former or current employee of Flying J or the FJ Management Corporation • Recipients must have a minimum GPA of 3.0
Apply online at huntsman.usu.edu/fjscholarship
Applications due: February 28, 2014
Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014 Page 10
Views&Opinion Utah State University • Logan, Utah • www.utahstatesman.com
Forum letters I was outraged by the “Obama is wrong about gender gap” editorial published in last week’s Statesman. It was written as a response to President Obama’s comment that “(Women) make 77 cents for every dollar a man earns,” and that “in 2014, it’s an embarrassment.” Its author claims that, in proposing wage equality, President Obama demeans the value of motherhood because “women of today didn’t plan on a lifetime of work” because they were planning on becoming mothers. He further writes that “As women prepared to become mothers, they took different paths than men” and that “gaps in (choices of) employment explain much of the wage gap.” Just in case anybody read this editorial and found it convincing, I hope to set the record straight. First of all, not only are there more women than men pursuing degrees at every level of higher education — around 60 percent of bachelor’s degrees and 50.4 percent of Ph.D.s, according to the National Center for Education Statistics — but there are no significant differences in the types of degrees that women are seeking from those that men are seeking. The top-three most popular college majors for women, according to the U.S. Department of Education, are: business (men’s No. 1), health and clinical professions and social sciences/history (men’s No. 2). The latest American freshman survey found that undergraduates’ highest goal is to be financially well-off. Forbes Magazine writes, “for this new crop of college students (of which 60 percent are women), attaining wealth ranks higher than raising a family.” American women are preparing for careers at least as much as men are. Secondly, the U.S. Census Bureau’s research that led to the widely cited statistic of women making 77 cents on the man’s dollar statistically adjusted that wage gap to make sure working mothers’ wages were not compared alongside those of full-time professionals. In 2007, the average American male working full time earned $45,113, whereas the average American woman working full time earned $35,102. That’s a .77-to-one ratio. Mothers and those aspiring to become homemakers were in no way considered in this study? It compares working men with working women and has consistently found a sexist wage gap. Misunderstandings like those cited in last week’s editorial can be extremely harmful by providing excuses to duck issues, ignore problems and support inequality. The women’s 77-cents-on-thedollar wage gap is a reality. And I, along with President Obama, am embarrassed by it. – Jean M. Lown
The reality of the wage gap To the editor:
Letters to the editor
In the last Statesman issue, a claim was made the wage gap in men and women’s pay is simply “an indicator of our country’s family values.” This individual
– Erika Dawn Pound
We really built the Death Star? To the editor: Walking home from the library last week, I noticed sign put up in celebration of Engineering Week. The sign said “An engineer designed the Death Star: That’s Engineering. That’s Utah State.” I feel as though it would be useful to unpack the sign’s rhetoric. First, the Death Star is fictional and therefore designed by a fictional engineer. It may have been designed by a fictional engineer who went to a fictional Utah State, but I doubt that because the “Star Wars” movies take place in a “galaxy far, far away.” Maybe the sign was referencing John Stears, the Academy Award-winning special effects guru for the “Bond” films and some of the “Star Wars” films who designed the models of the Death Star that were used in filming “Star Wars,” but he worked as a draftsman at an architecture firm prior to his film career, not as an engineer. If the sign is referencing him, then the sign should read “a draftsman designed the Death Star,” not “an engineer designed the Death Star.” Second, does the College of Engineering really want to associate itself with an implement of genocide? In the film, the Death Star was designed specifically to destroy entire plan-
• 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
ets and their inhabitants. Carrie Fisher’s Princess Leia screams as she watches her home planet get destroyed. It probably was an engineer who designed the landmines that litter Cambodia, and it probably was an engineer who designed the chemical weapons that killed hundreds during World War I and that have been used recently in Syria. Should our College of Engineering draw attention to that dark side of war profiteering engineers in such a positive light? Should that be encouraged on our campus? Last, the Death Star is known not for being a sound piece of engineering, but a failure. It has one major flaw: A single fighter pilot can destroy the entire thing with just one shot into the thermal exhaust port. Do we really want “that is engineering, that is Utah State” to be the tagline to science fiction’s greatest engineering failure? I mostly write this to point out that what we post on campus, if we don’t pay attention to the implicit and explicit rhetoric, can really reflect poorly on our great university. So let’s not be sloppy with our words. – Braden Clinger
Vote for me, John Whicker for Education To the editor: My name is John Whicker. I am a candidate running for Education and Human Services senator. As you know, there are seven departments in the College of Education and Human Services. These include communicative disorders (COMMD); psychology (PSY); family consumer and human development (FCHD); health, physical education and recreation (HPER); elementary education (ELED); special education (SPED); and instructional technology and learning sciences (ITLS). So many people associate Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services with elementary education alone. The result is that few students who are enrolled in the six other departments know they are also members of the college. In fact, one student expressed to me that it wasn’t until he was accepted into his program in HPER as a junior that he found out about his affiliation with this, one of the largest colleges on campus. I see this as an exciting chance for the college to reevaluate the way we promote our programs. Why? Because I’m a firm believer that success in college and beyond can be influenced by one’s involvement during college, whether that is in clubs, student government or other collegiate organizations. However, when unaware of which college you’re in, involvement may seem inaccessible. As next year’s Education and Human Services senator, I will be proud to bring to light each department in CEHS and then unite them in a way the gives students in the college the opportunity to be involved early on, and open doors for their success now at USU and in the future. Thank you for your consideration.
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.
irritation. It turns out Monday was the wrong day to H e a d Logan Jones leave my headphones phones are my at home — It’s so choice visual repremuch easier to ignore sentation that I, in people when you have fact, am not interheadphones. ested in whatever Trail Monday marked these candidates blazing the beginning of USU are selling. I’m all student elections, as for being involved anyone who has tried in the communiwalking undisturbed ty, and I believe from the TSC to the in the democratic library or the business process, but these building has surely nostudent leadership ticed. Large campaign hopefuls fail to unboards boasting flashy derstand that what slogans line the walkways around they’re involved in isn’t politics. campus advertise for student body The vast popularity contest that is positions nobody understands. student elections has been overex Those running for these various aggerated by those in student govleadership offices stand nearby their ernment to appear like an opportucampaign ads, or “A frames,” hand- nity for the average student’s voice ing out flyers and pestering students to be heard. In reality, the voice for their votes every few feet in what seems like an unending gauntlet of jSee JONES, Page 11
If you don’t care, then just don’t vote
Students who don’t vote for someone know why they’re votjust because they’re Tavin Stucki ing shouldn’t vote. unopposed and Before anyone can they’re the only one accuse me of being listed on the bala tyranny enthusiast, lot. Don’t vote for let me rephrase that: Hail someone you think Every student should may be cheating to vote intelligently in the their way through the USU/SA elections. cracks and loopchief holes of vague elec If you don’t care how 16 elected officials will tion bylaws. Don’t decide one-point-howvote for someone ever-many million doljust because they lars of student tuition had the same poand fee money, don’t sition last year and vote. If you’re upset nothing earth-shatthat only 1 in 10 students will vote, teringly bad happened to the unithen go ahead and cast a ballot. versity. Don’t vote for someone just But read the candidate platforms because their campaigners were the and vote based on who you actually least annoying as you walked from think will make the best decisions as the TSC to the library. Don’t vote for your personal representative. someone who put down their favor Don’t vote for a candidate just be- ite basketball team as a qualification cause someone handed you their for office. flier. Don’t vote for someone just Definitely don’t vote for someone because they’re physically attrac- because they held a flashmob on tive. Don’t vote for someone just because they’re your friend. Don’t jSee STUCKI, Page 11
How we find revolution without all the resolution Briana Bowen
The Ninjacrat
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: statesmaneditor@ aggiemail.usu.edu.
One of the most rigorous classes I took during my freshman year was taught by a wonderful professor who genuinely loved his subject — we were also frequently reminded of his genuine love for hockey, but you can’t really hold that against Canadians. He subscribed to a strict open door policy: If you didn’t like your grade on an exam, you were welcome to take it back to him for a full re-evaluation. The caveat, however, was that as he reviewed your exam the second time around, he reserved the right to raise your grade if he had somehow missed your scin-
jSee BOWEN, Page 11
– John Whicker
The staff
To the editor:
went on to imply the only reason women earn less is because they have been brought up to be mothers, and those women who did go on to obtain a college education only did so in the fields of education and child development. There is nothing wrong with those majors, but there is something wrong with assuming every woman is or should be in them. The fact that the 77 cents women earn for every dollar men earn is calculated based on a comparison of men and women in comparable fields was disregarded. Of course women who go into education are going to earn less than men who go into engineering; that isn’t a question. However, this figure is not comparing those drastically different careers; it is highlighting the discrepancy between the wages of men and women who hold the same positions. A point of note; the only quote used is taken out of context from an article supporting the presence of an embarrassing wage gap and the person quoted, Claudia Goldin, is an economics professor at Harvard. Being a stay-at-home mom is one of the most difficult and noteworthy paths a woman can take, and I sincerely applaud those that do. My mother is a fabulous stayat-home-mother, but she is also an extraordinary CrossFit coach and overwhelming tough athlete. One of her best friends is also a great mom, but she works as a banking executive and her husband is a stay-at-home dad. Mr. Richards, great mothers come in so many varieties. All of them deserve an equal chance to do the best they can in their chosen way. It is closed-minded of you to assume all women must conform to your idea of what makes a good mother. Your mother would be ashamed of you.
The page
America’s wage gap really is embarrassing
Why I wear headphones during election week on campus
Editorial Board: Lis Stewart Danielle Manley Eric Jungblut Mariah Noble Chelsea Hunter Curtis Lundstrom Jeff Dahdah Mikayla Kapp Meghann Nixon Noelle Johansen
Editor in Chief: Tavin Stucki
Views&Opinion
Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014
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Be sure to stop by the voting booth today
If we surveyed 100 students about which week campaign staffs, meticulously schedule events of the school year generally gets to worst reputa- and promotions, all in hopes they have done tion, most would assume a widespread response enough for each student to individually look up along the tune of finals week. their specific name and rend support on a ballot. While we see the argument there, it seems If you find yourself annoyed by the few moments much more evident that elections week carries a they stop you on a sidewalk, imagine the frusmuch more critical response, and that is putting it tration of being treated with such annoyance all nicely. day in the same spot while trying to capitalize on It’s not that the core elements of the week it- months of hard work. self don’t warrant a complaint from time to time. Above all else, while the week’s events can It isn’t always the most enjoyable come off inconvenient, the votthing to be pit-stopped on nearly ing process itself couldn’t be farevery walkway on campus and ther from it. Seldom in your votbe confronted about candidate An Editorial Opinion ing life will the process ever be platforms, free shirts, fliers and easier than typing vote.usu.edu likewise drowning in piles of postin your address box and clicking ers promoting debates and “Aggies a few boxes. No registrations, Vote” insignias until one closes their eyes in fear paper ballots or signs; it’s as simple as a few muland all they see is red, white and blue check tiple choice practices from the comfort of your marks. own home; or, to be blunt, if you have time to With that all in mind, perhaps it is more import- head to Buzzfeed and floor Facebook news ant to consider the emphasis those eventful frus- feeds with quiz results depicting what “Hunger trations overlooks the sincere importance of the Games” character you are, you have more than week as a whole. We at The Utah Statesman be- enough time to vote for actual people who actulieve it all comes full circle with a simple change ally matter to your time at USU. in perspective. The Statesman supports and encourages par Consider, for a moment, that many students ticipation in Elections Week and hopes you find fresh from high school are now experiencing a the time and effort in you to take part in eleclarge jump in just how vital our student govern- tions and care about it. Meet candidates, priorment system is. If you are still looking on first itize your values, head to vote.usu.edu and cast glance, it is a much larger gap than you may real- your vote. A simple change in perspective could ize. change everything about the rest of your experi Where your high school student body officers ence at USU. planned prom and canned food drives to support the local food bank, the USU/SA Executive The Deep End • Tyson Cole Council coordinates on plans policies and decisions that immediately affect each student. We’re talking student fees, scheduling, full-scale events, advocacy and set the overall emotional environment for the campus as a whole. We’ve moved on from the world of the popularity contest and into the world of the 20,000-plus person job interview. To sum that up, your convenience, options and wallet all ride on who gets elected and which decisions they make. If that doesn’t motivate to want to know who these individuals pontificating next to large wooden A-frames are, you honestly should. If you still feel uneasy about the whole thing, consider for a moment what these candidates have to do to get themselves in the minds of the students. The work they go to in an effort to become a representative of the students includes months of time to create advertising, organize
Our View
of the average student is drowned out by the all the noise surrounding campus voting throughout election week. It’s not as if once a particular candidate is elected, textbooks suddenly become affordable and all the ice cream is free. The changes instituted by student government are, at best, nice things for those few in charge to put on their resumes. The sad truth of student leadership is that the benefits and monetary rewards for winning an elected position of presumed importance at USU vastly
Stucki From Page 10 campus. If one or more of the ideas listed above are the primary motivators in your voting decision, don’t vote. OK, OK, I’m trying to tell you to find an actual reason.
Bowen From Page 10
Letters to the editor
tillating brilliance the first time … or lower your grade, if he had rather overestimated your brilliance. In essence, this professor gave his students a means of voicing their grievances, but he attached the real-world implication: Protesting doesn’t always yield the positive outcome you were aiming for. That lesson is one that applies not only to the reevaluation of disappointing exam scores but to greater social grievances. We tend to associate popular protests and even revolution —especially mass uprisings against unjust authoritarian governments —as positive movements destined for positive outcomes. We want to believe that once the demos, the common people, shake off the chains of oppression imposed by their corrupt governments, it is but a matter of time before a stable, peaceful and prosperous democracy is established. The reality is somewhat more complicated. Yes, popular uprisings sometimes do lead to positive systemic revolutions — like our favorite in-house example, the American Revolution. But sometimes, the fruit of revolution has
stifling any conversation. Still, others somewhat unimaginatively claim to have “already voted” and wish to just be left alone. I prefer headphones, keeping to myself as the hopeful candidates all around me listen only to the sound of their own voices.
Vote for someone who has actual ideas, goals and plans. Vote for someone who has the actual power and ability to achieve that vision. Make your vote actually count. If you’re not willing to do that, then you really just shouldn’t even vote. But in all actuality, thanks for voting. I may not sound very sincere when I say it, but I do actually appreciate
you exercising your right and responsibility to take part in campus politics.
turned out to have a rancid core. In the past, some popular uprisings have overthrown bad governments only to install an even worse brand of tyranny. The French Revolution removed a corrupt aristocracy from power, yet laid the way for the rise of Napoleon. The 1917 Bolshevik Revolution obliterated the old Russian tsarist regime, but replaced it with the early foundations of Soviet communism. Sometimes the negative outgrowth of revolution is not immediately apparent. The Arab Spring uprising in Egypt in 2011 that ousted President Hosni Mubarak seemed to hold promise as a turning point: a golden window of opportunity to establish a true democracy in Egypt. Yet three years after the revolution, Egypt seems to be on track to slip back into the clutches of a military dictatorship, aesthetically disguised in the fashionable robes of democracy. Does this mean all popular uprisings are predestined for disaster? Clearly not. Among other examples, the 1989 Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia lasted for six weeks — amazingly, all nonviolent protests — and led to a full transition of power from a Communist regime to a free republic. Rather than categori-
cally labeling uprisings as good or bad, my point is to show popular revolution is a mixed bag: A positive outcome is not impossible, even in challenging circumstances, but it is certainly not guaranteed. Indeed, sometimes movements hoping to bring about democracy in authoritarian countries have the disappointingly ironic result of further restricting freedom. In countries where positive change actually is brought about by revolution, establishing a mature democracy is inevitably a long and slow process. We would do well to exercise cautious optimism as we witness the courage of the men and women in Ukraine and other countries who have taken to the streets to affect positive change —optimism, because history has shown that remarkable things are possible when the will of the people rises in one unified voice; caution, because history has shown that the best intentions sometimes spawn the ugliest monsters.
• 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
– Logan Jones is a sophomore majoring in journalism. Though he generally sticks to writing sports, he enjoys expressing his opinions on other topics as well. He hopes one day enough of his readers will petition Statesman editors to give him a regular column in the newspaper. Contact him at logantjones@aggiemail.usu.edu or tweet @Logantj.
– Tavin Stucki is the editor in chief of The Utah Statesman. His articles have won awards and appeared in numerous news publications throughout Utah. Send any comments to statesmaneditor@aggiemail.usu.edu.
All But Dead • abdcomics.com
Haslam Comic • marcus.haslam@aggiemail.usu.edu
Wonders and Blunders • melissamw89@gmail.com
– Briana is a political science major in her last semester at USU. She is an avid road cyclist and a 2013 Truman Scholar. Proudest accomplishment: True Aggie. Reach Briana at b.bowen@aggiemail. usu.edu.
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.
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: statesmaneditor@ aggiemail.usu.edu.
The staff
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outweighs the power a candidate has to truly impact student life. It seems like the only ones who care about student politics are, predictably, the student politicians. For better or worse, USU graduates will remember their alma mater’s fight song long after they remember the name of their student body president. So some students avoid eye contact with them. They plot a roundabout course toward their classes in order to avoid the commotion emanating from the center of USU’s campus. Others use tried-and-true strategies to quickly move past the campaigning candidates, offering them obscure song lyrics or movie quotes as a way of quickly
The page
Jones
Editorial Board: Lis Stewart Danielle Manley Eric Jungblut Mariah Noble Chelsea Hunter Curtis Lundstrom Jeff Dahdah Mikayla Kapp Meghann Nixon Noelle Johansen
Editor in Chief: Tavin Stucki
theBackBurner
Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014
51/34
54/38
Tuesday Partly cloudy
Wednesday Partly cloudy
Tuesday, Feb. 25 • The No. 1 key to success in school and life, 2-3 p.m., TSC 315A • Making it through hard times, 2-4 p.m., TSC 310 • Evening child care on campus, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Early Childhood Education and Research Center • Female + Form, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art
Today is Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014. Today’s issue of The Utah Statesman is published especially for Ellison Barlow, a freshman majoring in biomedical engineering from Kaysville, Utah.
Across 1 To-do list item 5 Short-lived crazes 9 Destroy beyond repair 14 Yodeler’s feedback 15 Landed 16 “Laughing” critter 17 Teensy bit 18 A hop, skip and jump away 19 Savanna antelope 20 *Powerful stratum of society 23 In high spirits 24 Spread out, as one’s fingers 25 __ New Guinea 27 Large seaweed 30 Mixed in a glass 33 Travel book
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47/35 Thursday Rain
50/37
45/35
Friday Mostly cloudy
Saturday Chance of rain
Wednesday, Feb. 26
Thursday, Feb. 27
• Spring Career Fair, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., TSC • Indian Taco Sale, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., TSC Patio • Speaker Alyssia Angus, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Chase Fine Arts Center 150 • Overcoming test anxiety, 12 a.m. to 1 p.m., TSC 335 • Group meditation, 1:30-2:25 p.m., TSC 335 • Gold Key Scholarship and information, 7-8 p.m., TSC 336
• Forum on Venezuela and Cuba, 1:30-2:45 p.m., Old Main 340 • Finding your academic strengths, 10-11 a.m., TSC 315A • Friends of Merrill-Cazier Library spring lecture with Dr. Leonard Rosenband, 7 p.m., Merill-Cazier Library room 101 • Symphony orchestra, 7:30 p.m., Chase Fine Arts Center, Kent Concert Hall
inserts 36 Bard’s nightfall 38 Take care of 39 Game with Wild Draw Four cards 40 Continue with the fun, and a hint to each part of the answers to starred clues 42 Keebler cookie character 43 Stone-faced 45 Side with green eggs 46 Part of MIT: Abbr. 47 Unit of explosive force 49 Anjou, e.g. 51 Memorable labor leader Jimmy 52 Rinsed the soap from, as a car 56 GI R&R provider
58 *When brandy may be served 62 __ and crossbones 64 Innovator’s spark 65 Additional 66 Studio stand 67 Line in blue cheese 68 Diva’s solo 69 Rose parts 70 Comes to a close 71 Require Down 1 Glum drops 2 Behave poorly 3 “I __ return”: MacArthur 4 Large Alaskan bears 5 Vampire tooth 6 Baldwin in Capital One ads 7 Call on a retro phone 8 Bra parts
9 Many an Actors Studio member 10 Popeye’s Olive 11 *Picturesque spot for a warm drink 12 Actress Paquin of “True Blood” 13 British noblewoman 21 TV educator Bill in a lab coat 22 Didn’t go out 26 Vessel on a mantel 28 Bat first 29 Each 31 Angled pipes 32 Adept 33 Cologne scent 34 Not pro 35 *Place for changing out of a wet suit 37 To the __ degree
40 Traps for the unwary 41 Big mouth, informally 44 John of London? 46 Armored superhero
48 One who was born there 50 Yellowfin tuna 53 Noise from a sleeper 54 Otherworldly 55 Deep anxiety 56 Capitalizes on
57 Three-handed card game 59 Blissful place 60 Senator Harry of Nevada 61 Aykroyd and Quayle 63 Moon lander
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