January 9, 2018 Issue

Week of January 9, 2018 www.usustatesman.com (435) 797-1742 TSC Room 118 Free single copy

VEGAS VICTORY

Protecting free speech USUSA by-laws updated By Alison Berg NEWS SENIOR WRITER

After several weeks of discussion between

the Academic Senate and Executive Council,

the Utah State University Student Association (USUSA) voted to change the USUSA election

bylaws — the rules governing campaign procedures for USUSA candidates.

Though the by-laws are reviewed and updat-

ed each year, the 2018-19 guidelines received

a more dramatic overhaul than usual, because

USU’s legal counsel realized the previous rules restricted the school’s free speech policy.

“Some of the things were kind of restrictive,

and we want to make sure that all of the stu-

dents not only maintain their right to free

speech, but also we don’t want to restrict their

creativity,” said Rebecca Thomas, the current

USUSA S.J. and Jessie E. Quinney College of

Natural Resources senator, and co-chair of the USUSA elections committee.

Though the document saw several changes,

some of the most notable involved the disman-

tling of social media restrictions, mass-mes-

saging rules and a policy change regarding

yard signs around campus and electric signs on campus televisions.

In previous years, candidates were prohibit-

ed from “published/broadcasting campaign

By Logan Jones OPINION MANAGER

materials,” such as “social media, video flyers,

shirts, etc,” before elections week, which will

I wasn’t so sure about this Aggie team.

take place Feb. 25 at 3 p.m. through March 1

Neither was anyone who sat through the slop-

at 8 p.m.

py outing at Weber, the foul shooting disaster

However, candidates now have freedom to

against BYU in front of a packed house, or the

promote themselves on social media prior to

But if you’re still in the habit of doubting Koby

paper signs throughout campus buildings,

rare comeback loss at Portland State.

elections week, as well as post electronic and

McEwen and co., it’s probably time to change

though signs must be in accordance with each

your tune. Utah State hoops kicked off 2018

respective building’s policy.

with the most impressive pair of victories in the

Similarly, “the use of electronic mail to ac-

post-Stew Morrill era, propelling the Aggies to

tively campaign and solicit votes” was prohib-

Mountain West and a seat among the tumultu-

so long as candidates do not use official USU

their first 3-1 conference start since joining the

ited in previous elections, and is now allowed,

ous conference’s elite.

accounts to obtain contact information or spread messages.

see “Vegas Victory” PAGE 4

Though candidates must take initiative to

PHOTO BY AP Photo/Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Focused on the future

Business school’s Focused Fridays provide internship and insight By Bobbee Russell NEWS STAFF WRITER

Huntsman’s Focused Fridays provide intern-

ships and insight

Career exploration: College essential taught

by Focused Fridays

By: Bobbee Russell

For two years, the Jon M. Huntsman School of

Business has been hosting “Focused Fridays,” a weekly event featuring highly-qualified speak-

ers, networking opportunities and resume help for students.

Since its inception, more than 3,000 Utah

State students have learned from more than

150 speakers, who share insight in a “Ted Talk” format, said Kevin Green, the school’s marketing manager.

“After the new building was created, Focused

Fridays was one of our big implementations to help create a holistic business and a career de-

velopment experience for business students and all of USU students,” Green said.

While the Leadership Forum speakers are the

most well-known aspect of the weekly workshops, there are also Tech Talks and Industry Insights.

Green said that Tech Talks consist of bringing

in multiple experts across multiple industries

from climbing and outdoor to cooperate, or a

tech company.

“We are bringing in executives and CEOs and

industry professionals all over the nation,” Green said.

display campaign materials around campus

buildings, the bylaws do not restrict building

administrators from rejecting a candidate’s request.

“We’d hope that people would be fair, but

there’s nothing that right now keeps (adminis-

trators) from discriminating,” said Spencer

Perry, current USUSA public relations and

Wilcox went back two days later for an inter-

marketing director, and co-chair of the elec-

He then spent two months at Strata Fund Solu-

In previous years, current USUSA officers

view and was offered the internship right after.

tions committee.

tions in Salt Lake City working as a tax and

were required to remain neutral when discuss-

“I never would have gotten that opportunity if

are now able to support candidates, though

compliance intern.

ing candidates. However, this year’s officers

co-owner of Diamond Wireless, was his favorite

it hadn’t been for these Focused Friday activi-

USUSA Hearing Board members — who de-

”She’s a great example of taking that dream or

According to statistics provided by the school,

campaign rules — are prohibited from doing

partments have been represented at Focused

“We want to make sure all of our students get

Scott Wilcox, the president of the business

ambassadors, said Danielle Nielson, former

ties,” Wilcox said.

cide penalties for candidates that have broken

that thing you want to do with your life and

more than 65 majors from different USU de-

so.

hard to do,” Wilcox said.

Friday events.

to maintain that right to free speech,” Thomas

speaker so far.

really pushing to get it done even though it’s

Focused Fridays comes with a field trip aspect

“[People from other departments] realize the

where students can go explore different career

importance of networking and keeping their

trips are a great opportunity to see different

in the business school so you can see how vast

said.

In the 2017-18 election, 10 grievances were

mindset open,” Green said. “We have 7 majors

filed against various candidates, said Krystin

and broad that reach is.”

chairwoman of the USUSA Hearing Board.

“Experiential opportunities like meeting a

she isn’t working at her job in marketing that

grievances this year than last year, because

one can just do,” Green said. “We facilitate that

The senior marketing major said,“I really love

lot more things that (candidates) are open to

and how successful leaders have got their start

While election bylaws are normally written

options with career exploration trips. Those work environments early in a student’s education, Green said.

Megan Fisher attends Focused Fridays when

Deschamps, director of student conduct and

“I kind of think maybe there will be fewer

she received after learning how to network.

there are less restrictions, because there are a

with our contacts to create those opportunities

the opportunity to hear great words of advice

doing now,” Thomas said.

have a ‘dipping your toe in’ kind of experience.”

and the challenges they’ve been through and

and overseen by current USUSA officers and

said.

ership Center, USU legal counsel joined the

CEO of a company isn’t something that every-

for them to get inside those offices so they can Wilcox has first-hand experience with the ca-

reer exploration trips and said he was im-

pressed by the environment when he visited Strata Fund Solutions. He later found out about

their internship availabilities and decided to talk to a recruiter on the spot.

how they were so successful in the end,” Fisher

— b96russell@gmail.com @bjr24601

advisers in the Student Involvement and Leadwriting process this year.

“It’s been a really collaborative process,”

Thomas said.

see “Free Speech” PAGE 6