The Utah Statesman, March 19, 2012

March 19,

"Campus Voice Sin

Athlete paralyzed over Spring Break

BY CATHERINE BENNITT editor in

A

mad at her, but I felt like she had been stolen away in the middle of the night. I felt like I just woke up and everything was different." Evans was sleeping in the condo where the group was staying, when Fisher and a male USU student decided to go rock climbing between 2 and 3 a.m., Evans said. It was dark when they started rappelling from the top of the 80-foot cliff

Fisher used a left-handed rappelling system, Evans said, and her hand got caught. When she started going too fast she reached up with her right hand to grab the rope and stop herself, but the friction gave her a second-degree burn on that hand. At that point, Fisher let go of the rope and she fell the rest of the way, landing on the ground at a diagonalfirst landing on her feet and falling to her back, Evans said. "It's honestly a miracle that she didn't hit her head," Evans said. "Nothing happened with her brain, she was never out of it. She was conscious and talking all the way until the helicopter got there."

The male who was with her at the time climbed back up the cliff to the car where they left their phones and called for help. He turned the hazard lights on so they would be found, Evans said. Fisher broke the tibia of her right leg and endured a 10-hour surgical procedure Monday to insert a rod into her leg. Her left foot was completely shattered and doctors are scheduled to do surgery Monday, Evans said. Fisher also broke her back in two places - at the T-5 and T-1 thoracic vertebrae.

•> See ATHLETE, Page 2

Science Week celebrates milestones

BY STEVE KENT news editor

Music and dancing will be as much a part of this year's Science Week as physics and chemistry demonstrations. A music competition, rock climbing and a dance will compliment lectures and exhibits throughout the week of March 19-23, according to event coordinators.

Mitch Morgan, Science Week coordinator and member of the Science Council, said the week will be a chance to show the community what the college does "I hope they can get a better understanding of what the College of Science is and what programs we have."

Morgan said the event he looks forward to most is the Smarty Pants Laser Dance, beginning at 9 p.m., Friday in

the atrium of the Eccles Science Learning Center. The dance falls on the anniversary of the invention of the laser, he said, and the setting and theme will be unique.

"To our knowledge, there's never been a dance in that building before," Morgan said.

Science Senator Joe Watson said coordinators will set up lasers in the atrium and give out 2,000 glow sticks.

"The whole dance is free," Watson said. "We want everyone to come and have a good time."

Students are encouraged to dress in nerdy outfits, and prizes will be given for the nerdiest costumes.

Science Week events begin with the seventh annual String Theory Songwriting Competition. USU students compete with original music and lyrics performed on acoustic-only instruments. The competition will begin at noon in the TSC International Lounge, Watson said.

Last year, the contest drew 10 musical acts and 50-75 spectators, he said. Prizes include a $50 gift card to KSM Music, a $50 gift card to the USU Bookstore and a free meal card from Dining

Services.

Monday at 7 p.m., Teaching Laboratory Supervisor James Coburn will provide a physics demonstration in ESLC 130. Coburn said the demonstrations include battery in a beaker, liquid nitrogen and a Ruben's

Tube, a device that demonstrates standing waves with fire. Coburn said the comparison of helium and hydrogen balloons will be particularly exciting "What the Science Council was advertising is explosions," •> See WEEK, Page 2

Center. Thinkstock

Orbiting space telescope maps the cosmos

BY JULIA STOCK staff writer

A scientist who helped build a powerful space telescope at the Space Dynamics Lab remarked on the project's impact in a speech at the Logan Tabernacle on March 9.

"Keep your chair backs in the upright position because we are ready to take off," said Doug Thompson, former mayor of Logan, as he introduced John D. Elwell, the project manager for the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) telescope.

Elwell explained the specifics of the WISE infrared telescope that he worked on at USU's SDL in Logan. Elwell said it was launched at 6 a.m. on Dec. 14, 2009, and scientists received the first light image from it 15 days later.

Because of its wide-field capability, WISE covers more of the sky than any of its predecessors, including the Hubble telescope, he said, explaining that wide-field means the telescope takes broader pictures.

WISE completed its mission 13 months after its launch, having covered the sky completely two times, Elwell said. The telescope took about six months to complete each survey of the sky.

Elwell said WISE is basically a telescope with cameras, and "it has four cameras and each is pointing at the same target in space but with four

different colors."

Those colors combined create the infrared effect, Elwell said, adding that the telescope is special because of those infrared capabilities.

"WISE doesn't look at visible light like our eyes (do), WISE looks at infrared light, or heat," he said. "If you walk outside on a hot summer day and you feel the sunlight on your skin, your skin is actually protecting you from the infrared light."

Elwell said also discussed some ofthe technical maintenance necessary to keep the telescope functional. "We kept WISE cool the same way you keep a thermos cool on a hot summer day," Elwell said. "Because infrared is heat, we have to keep the cameras cold. Otherwise, if the cameras were at say room temperature, the cameras would blind themselves with their own heat. It's like going out side on a dark niglit and turning on the flashlight and shining it in your own eye." Elwell said the Space Dynamics Lab has been a part of USU for the past 50 years. With more than 500 successful missions originating from the SDLl the lab has become more well known, he said. "We've had experiments that fly on satellites. We've had experiments on the space station and experiments on the International Space Station and a lot of work done on the space shuttle," Elwell said. "If you add up 50 years of experiments at Utah State University from the Space

Briefs

Campus & Community Discussion examines effects of Iraq war

The ninth anniversary of the start of combat in Operation Iraqi Freedom, the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, is the focus of a day-long series of panels and programs March 19 at USU. The event "Out of Iraq" is intended to recognize the contributions of all those involved in the controversial war and to help foster a process of introspective reconciliation.

Journalism Professor Matthew LaPlante, a former national security reporter who served as an embedded journalist in war zones and one of the event's organizers, said the discussion will involve current and future effects of the conflict.

"Now that the United States has withdrawn its forces, what we'd like to do is to help develop an honest and safe dialogue about what this war meant to America and to the USU community," LaPlante said.

Afternoon and evening events will be held at the TSC Auditorium. They will include discussion panels and photo exhibits by war photographers. Students, staff, faculty and Cache County community members - particularly veterans of the war, natives of Iraq or others whose lives were significantly affected by the conflict - are invited to share their experiences.

Utah uv vetoes sex education bill

Gov. Gary Herbert vetoed a controversial bill March 16 that would have prohibited teachers from instructing students about contraceptives, premarital sex or homosexuality.

Despite pressure on both sides of the issue, Herbert acted against the measure that would have required teaching abstinence-only curricula in schools.

Herbert said the bill went too far in depriving parents the right to choose how their children learn about sexual activity, and public school instruction should supplement, not replace, lessons taught in the home.

"In order for parents to take on more responsibility, they need more information, more involvement and more choice - not less," Herbert said.

House Bill 363 passed the Senate by a 19-10 vote earlier this month.

The bill's sponsor, Rep. Bill Wright, R-Holden, said during the legislative session that teenagers need to know that abstinence is the only guaranteed way to avoid pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases. He said the law was important to protect the innocence of students.

The Legislature still has the option of calling a special session to attempt to override Herbert's veto. Such an act would require a two-thirds vote.

Historian to speak about gold plates

Richard L. Bushman, one of the nation's pre-eminent scholars of early American and Mormon history, returns to USU on March 22 to deliver a talk "The Many Lives of Joseph Smith's Gold Plates."

The event, which is open to the public, will be held from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in room ESLC 130 and is sponsored by USU's Religious Studies Program.

Bushman is the Gouverneur Morris Professor Emeritus of History at Columbia University. His talk at USU will focus on the historical and cultural significance of the gold plates Smith said he translated to write The Book of Mormon.

The gold plates Joseph Smith said he possessed "have lived on in the imagination of believers and unbelievers alike," Bushman said. "What gives these plates their longevity and vitality in so many venues?"

CZarifyCorrect

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 105.

• From Page 1

"I got here close to 11 p.m. last night ano she was asleep," said Braden Fisher, Brittany's older brother. "At first I just looked at her and sobbed. Thirty to 40 minutes later, she woke up and was like normal. There are times where she is her normal self, but there are moments where she sees the reality of her condition."

At this point, Brittany Fisher has some sensation in her toes and doctors are optimistic she will walk again, Braden Fisher said, but no one is completely certain.

She will be transported this week to a rehabilitation center in Colorado, he said, and stay there for 4-8 weeks. After that, she will spend the next 12-18 months fighting for the ability to walk again, her brother said, and maybe one day will again be able to run.

"You hear the good and the bad," Braden Fisher said. "Everything good is going for her with being young, athletic, having a good attitude and good health. It's the best it could be."

He said he is confident in his sister's

ability to come out of the situation she is in, but waiting for results is - and will be - the most difficult part.

"She kept asking all the people at the hospital if she would be able to run tomorrow," Evans said. "Honestly, she was amazing. Of course, there was a bunch of regret, and all these emotions hitting her, but Brittany was positive the whole time and was thanking everyone - the whole time - that was helping her."

Fisher will be missed on the track team as a major support to her teammates, Greg Gensel, USU head coach for track and cross-country, said.

"She's inspiring to everybody," Gensel said. "Before· her accident, she would - and she still will be - she's a great worker. She has a great work ethic. She always encourages other people, both in running and just life in general. She's what you want in an athlete and a friend, because she's always very supportive of what you're doing and wants you to have success." - catherine.meidell@aggiemail.usu.edu

Coburn said. ~Sure, there will be some explosions." involved in that kind of stuff; they're already doing lab

are

Physics demonstrations can help people overcome their negative

and

at 7 p.m., Wednesday, of the 2011 comedy about two graduate students, called "Piled Higher and Deeper," a play on the term Ph.D.

A rock wall will be set up on the TSC Patio, from noon to 2 p.m., Thursday to celebrate geology, Watson said. a.m. to 2 p.m.

~~PhD: Plied Higher and Deeper" TSC Auditorium, 7 p.m.

Rock climbing TSC Patio, noon to 2 p.m.

•) From Page 1

Smarty Pants Laser Dance ESLC Atrium, 9 p.m.

Students curious about the extracurricular activities offered in the College of Science can attend exhibits by science-themed clubs in the TSC International Lounge from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m .• Tuesday. Among the groups presenting will be the Society of Physics Students and the Chemistry and Biochemistry Club, Watson said.

Club exhibits are designed to attract the interest of students regardless of whether they are studying science, he said.

A banquet commemorating the life of Sir Isaac Newton will be

held for students of the College of Science, at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday in the Skyroom. The banquet is the only Science Week event not open to all students, Morgan said. Tuesday marks the 285th anniversary of Newton's death.

"The lounge day is not geared toward science students," Watson said. "Science students are.already - steve.kent@aggiemail.usu.edu

Scientists and students work side by side at Space Dynamics Lab·

this nature and therefore increase the opportunity to bring more students to the SDL for employment, which provides more exposure to the "real world" of engineering, he said. "We have about 100 students that come down and work alongside with us," Elwell said. "We are working to help develop the next generation of scientists and engineers for our country. ''The difference in Space

JOHN ELWELL, PROJECT MANAGER for the WISE telescope (left) project at the Space Dynamics Laboratory, explains the project's impact during a speech March 9 at the Logan Tabernacle. MELODY SANCHEZ photo

PoliceBlotter

Sunday, March 11

• USV Police impounded several bikes for safe keeping purposes around the Engineering Building. All of the bikes bad flat tires, rusted chains or missing tires. The bikes had been previously marked tags that warned they would be removed and impounded in seven days.

• USU Police responded to a hit-and-run traffic accident with vehicle damage. A vehicle was struck while parked in the parking lot adjacent Bullen Hall. Police are investigating and know of no witnesses at this time.

Monday, March 12

• USU Police received a lost item report. A student placed some personal items in a car in the Big Blue Terrace and after contacting a friend who the student believed owned the car, the student realized the items had been placed in the wrong car.

• USU Police responded to a suspicious incident at the Sci-Tech portion of the Merrill-Cazier Library involving a man in one of the women's restrooms. Police are investigating.

• While fingerprinting an individual, police learned that Beaver County officials had issued a failure to appear warrant for the individual. The individual was arrested on that warrant.

• USU Police responded to an intrusion alarm at the Business Building computer lab. Police determined that a USU employee had set off the alarm. Police determined everything to be OK. A report was filed with USU Police.

• USU Police were asked by Landscaping to conduct a property watch over night on several unplanted trees in pots near Old Main Hill.

Tuesday, March 13

• USU Police responded to the north end zone building for a report of some suspicious items found in the chiller r_oom. This investigation is continuing.

• USU Police received a delayed report of a hitand-run accident that occurred in the green lot near the Radio/TV building.

Dynamics Lab today is that we are respected around the world."

Kyle Anderson, a student at USU, attended the speech with his wife. Anderson said his wife's father works for the SDL and worked on the WISE project.

"I didn't know anything about it, but it's really interesting to see that this type of stuff is coming out of Utah State," Anderson said. "I didn't actually give it a lot of credit They were just a bunch of nerds talking about space. But it really is pretty cool." Elwell said he was impressed by the amount of people in attendance at the speech.

"I hope that means the community is interested in and supports the work we do," he said. "The WISE mission in particular - because of the spectaciilar images - has been an easy one to present to the community."

In closing his speech, Elwell said the amount of the information collected by the WISE mission's survey of the sky is so vast that it will take a long time to process it all.

"It will definitely be a resource in astrophysics for generations and decades to come," he said.

- juliann13stock@aggiemail.usu.edu Contact USU Police at 797- 1939 j for non-emergencies. Anonymous reporting line: 797-5000 EMERGENCY NUMBER: 9U ...-

Wednesday, March 14

• USU Police responded to the Stadium west lot• assist a school bus into the lot that was stuck 0~ driveway. USU Police directed traffic around the bus until it was moved.

• USU Police responded to an emergency 911 phone alarm that occurred south of the Aggie Village playground area. Police made contact with a parent who informed the police that his young child accidentally pushed the alarm. The alarm was reset ·without any further problems.

Thursday, March 15

• USU Police received a report of a vehicle being driven recklessly on the old trailer court property. The driver was identified and warned.

• USU Police responded to a fire alarm at Jones Hall. This alarm was caused by a resident vacuuming a large amount of carpet cleaning powder from their hallway. The powder was cleaned up : • • and the alarm was silenced and reset.

by Steve Kent

March 19, 2012

3

~tah State University • Logan, Utah • www.utahstatesrnan.com

ieeping love alive at a distance

B IAHJOHARI stpff writer

T}vo summers ago, J Fowers was in a self¥ claimed semi-serious relati~nship while he was living in San Diego. When school started in the fall, he spent six weeks at USU before traveling to Europe for four weeks with a Huntsman Business School program. His girlfriend stayed in San Diego while he traveled from San Diego to Logan and then on to Europe.

Fowers said he decided to end the long-distance relationship when he got back from his trip. Fowers said the relationship wasn't going anywhere and he didn't want to string her along.

"I tried to make her the one," said Fowers, a senior majoring in international studies and economics. "I tried to make her the special girl, but she really wasn't, and I wasn't special for her, either. It was kind of a relationship of convenience."

The next summer, Fowers had a two-day layover in New York City. There, he met his future wife, who was traveling from Fresno, Calif., to visit her friend in New York City. Fowers said the two spent the rest of the day together, but decided to keep the relationship platonic. Before Fowers left to board his plane the next day, he and his new love took a ferry to

Ellis Island to spend more time together.

From that time forward they kept in touch, and by Thanksgiving she moved to Logan, where they were married after knowing each other for four months, he said.

"I think if it wasn't long distance, the result would have been the same," he said. "If both

of you are committed and it truly is a good relationship. It'll be a good relationship whether you're next door neighbors or whether you live on the other side of the globe."

Brianna Rowland, a senior majoring in public relations, said she met her husband at age 16 in Calgary, in Alberta, Canada. Rowland, who is from

Canada, got to know her husband, who is from Provo, when he came to Calgary to visit his cousins, which happened to be friends of Rowland's.

After a week he returned to Utah, and they kept in touch over the phone and through MSN messenger. Eventually, she came to Utah to attend his prom, she said. She also came to

USU to play tennis while he was on an LDS mission in Taiwan. Upon his return, they became exclusive for six months before she left for her mission. She said after her mission and back Logan, he was in Alaska and turned down a job offer in London to move to Logan. "I got anxious about it," Rowland said. "I don't know

"I

-Brianna Rowland,

was definitely either we're going to make or break it. We couldn't keep on doing long distance forever."

Mollie Bateman, who studied art at USU last semester, said • See DISTANCE, Page 5

Student's life changed by Native American exposure

BY MACKENZI VAN ENGELENHOVEN

that basketball was a large part of reservation life.

On the reservation, Hernandez said he was shaken by what he saw. He witnessed the poverty that plagued the reservation, as well as the struggles of talented athletes to receive their high school diplomas and move up to play in college.

"It was one of those moments where you feel like your whole life has been leading to," he said. "It was an experience that woke something inside of me that I didn't know existed. I cried, and I said a prayer, and I knew something was going to be different in my life from then on."

After his weekend on the reservation, Hernandez returned home to tell his wife he was quitting his job in order to start a program that would help young Native American students achieve their full academic and athletic potentials.

Hernandez formed a group of college athletes, both Native American and from other backgrounds, and traveled with them to reservations around the country to provide students with a motivational presentation about basketball that was designed to encourage students to finish high school to pursue careers as collegiate athletes.

"I am a basketball person," Hernandez said. "I knew my work had to involve basketball. I figured we could be positive examples and give kids the message as to how to stay away from drugs and alcohol."

With his group, Hernandez visited more than 100 reservations over the course of six years and talked to thousands of students. He said he's had many parents call him and thank him for his positive influence in their children's lives.

"I don't think I'm the most important person in the world when it comes to helping Native American kids," he said. "But I think I made a difference. We helped a lot of kids that feel like they have no hope understand they are not the only ones experiencing tough times. I think we made a difference."

During his travels, he said he met the Schimmel family, whose daughter Shoni was an incredibly talented basketball player with the potential to play at the collegiate level.

By the time Shoni was 14, she had national recruiters interested in her. At the time, Hernandez said he was tired of constantly traveling to do his motivational speaking but was looking for a way to stay involved in helping Native Americans.

"I knew people who had made great documentaries," he said. "And I thought 'What if we document her life and process as she grows up and becomes a basketball player?' It was a perfect storm as far as timing and meeting the family."

At the time, Hernandez had previous experience in the film industry and said he recruited a team of producers, including Kelly Rippa.

For two years, Hernandez said, his documentary crew filmed Shoni Schimmel's life as she became a rising star in the high school basketball circuit and went on to play at University of Louisville as one of the best female basketball players in the country.

NELSON HERNANDEZ, A BASKETBALL ENTHUSIAST, built said after her witnessed the poverty of a Native American reservation in Omaha, Neb., he wanted to make a difference. CODY GOCHNOUR photo

"I wanted to show through the movie that kids can change their lives through basketball," Hernandez said. "And I wanted to show ihe reality of modern Native American reservations. Most people have no concept of it. They think they still live in teepees."

The film premiered April 26, 2011, at the Tribeca Film Festival, and also aired on TLC. It has received critical acclaim, and Hernandez said he was proud of the positive reviews. Though the film was what he called a "passion project" that gave him no money, See DOCUMENTARY, Page 5

Local bloggers stay connected with family and fans

BY MANDY MORGAN

to become a better work. Now sites like Tumblr, Blogger, Wordpress writer. Martin said she figured it was an easy way "I look back and I can see how I've grown," Martin said of her blogging experience. "I like it in that aspect. It's kind of like my little

and others allow anyone who wants to blog easy access to start an online publication. The word blog is a portmanteau word - or combination of two words - for "web log" and, according

There are also biogs for personal assistance to keep her family informed back home of her - many mothers keep biogs to give other experiences as she Jived and studied in Logan. mothers advice, also called the mommy blog "I realized as I got into it, though, that blog- and some blogs are for classes and organiza- ging is more complicated than just wnting what to dictionary.com, is "a website containing the writer's or group of writers' own experiences, observations, opinions, etc., and often have images and links to other websites." tions to keep things organized in one electronic you are doing every day," Martin said. One place. aspect she said she didn't expect was being able - mandy.m.morga@aggiemail.usu.edu

•) From Page 3

Long

art at USU last semester, $lid she decided to move to Weber State University to be closer to her family !fore moving to Sweden in ay to.marry her Swedish 1ance. She said she visited Sweden over the summer and met lier fiance at a church activity.

For college students, blogging can be a big to meet people through blogging deal. Some students keep biogs because they "I like it because there are a bunch of people

distance relationships require dedication and commitment to Texas the week before he left. part of being in a longdistance relationship is being able to trust the other. a couple of pretty special people for them to be faithful and actually make it work actually carry out a regular relationship."

Bateman said she had to rearrange her schedule to keep in touch with him because of the eight-hour time difference between Sweden and the U.S., but they also wrote each other love letters. She said although her family was supportive of her relationship, they were worried about the cultural differences. "I also love his cologne," she said. "So he sent me a Sweden T-shirt with the flag on it and drenched in his cologne."

She said initially they decided not to talk to each other, thinking they would never see each other again.

Kiley Kincaid, a junior majoring in special education, said she's dating a gentleman from Texas. Before coming to USU, both • Kincaid and her boyfriend attended a community college in Illinois. However, he told her he was moving back

Kincaid said her boyfriend eventually came back to Illinois, so they spent some time together and decided to make it work.

Since then, both travel back and forth to visit each other, and she said her boyfriend will move to wherever she is once he graduates next year.

Kincaid said the hardest LONG DISTANCE RELATIONSHIPS TO some

"You have to break trust to build it back up," Kincaid said "We've both done some stuff that the other one didn't like

Kellen

Logan and feel blessed to be living here. Utah State is everything I want." - m.van9l1@aggiemail.usu.edu

him and broke up with Hansen. "I knew (the long distance relationship) wasn't ideal before," he said. "It's a lot of work just to be in a relationship in general, but to be that far apart, it would take

Aggies win two-straight in CIT

ensuing possession with a layup by Grim and held on for the victory.

"We just kept working hard out there," Medlin said. "We just kept battling out there. We knew it was going to be a fight, and we knew they were a good team."

USU 76, Idaho 56

Make it two consecutive postseason wins for the USU men's basketball team. Reed scored 15 points and pulled down 5 rebounds to lead USU over the Idaho Vandals 76-56 in the second round of the CIT.

The

coach Stew Morrill said. "We had a chance, we missed three 3's to go up 17 and maybe have the chance to put the game away. To their credit, they just kept pressing and kept coming at us, and we had some not real smart turnovers, but we got out of there with a win. We will look forward to playing on Saturday." USU responded on the

"I

Reed, who had 10 points • See AGGIES, Page 7

season ends in Salt Lake City

BY CURTIS LUNDSTROM and TAVIN STUCKI staff writer, sports editor USU 69, LTU 73

LAS VEGAS - In a record-setting season, the Utah State women's basketball team fell short of the record it wanted most: Western Athletic Conference championship.

Senior forward Ashlee Brown scored a game-high 24 points and pulled down 16 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to top a sharp-shooting Louisiana Tech team in the semifinal of the WAC tournament Friday as the Lady Techsters defeated the Aggies 73-69.

"I love Ashlee Brown," USU head coach Raegan Pebley said. "I wish I could clone her. I love her confidence, I love her swag, I love her game, I love her off-court persona. She's a stud. She's a champ, a warrior. I am so blessed that I got to coach her."

For the first 15 minutes the Aggies controlled the game, as Brown recorded 13 points and finished one rebound short of a double-double in the first half. The WAC Defensive Player of the Year dominated the offensive end of the court, scoring six points during a 9-2 Utah State run that turned a two-point deficit into a five-point lead - its biggest of the game.

Louisiana Tech responded in a big way.

During the final five minutes of the first half and the first three minutes of the second half, the Lady Techsters used a 25-9 run to take control. Senior guards Jasmine Bendolph and Angie Felton combined for 15 points during the stretch and La. Tech made 10 of 15 field-goal attempts.

Over the next 14 minutes the Aggies were

BY MEREDITH KINNEY

unable to cut into the deficit. La. Tech led 62-52 with about six minutes remaining when junior guard Devyn Christensen twisted her ankle on offense.

With its leading scorer on the bench, USU found a spark and went on a 17-9 run. Aggie guard Brooke Jackson converted a threepoint play after being fouled driving to the basket, then stole the ensuing inbounds pass to give USU a chance to tie the game or take the lead with 31 seconds left.

Christensen returned to the game but missed a potential game-winning 3-pointer with 22 seconds left.

"We had Ashlee (Brown) that was going to be an option," Pebley said. "We knew that they were going to play it, and it would be tough to get her open with a continuation with (Christensen) right there. Those are moments Devyn lives for, and she's heartbroken right now."

With the loss, the Aggies were eliminated from the tournament and finished the season with a 21-9 record overall.

"Our kids gave all that they had," Pebley said. "There's young ladies that are great face~ of our program that I am honored to coach. When they put on that Aggie uniform, they do it with a lot of pride."

USU 69, Utah 58

SALT LAKE CITY - The Utah State women's basketball team lost to Utah, 69-58, in the Women's National Invitation Tournament on Thursday.

Utah started things off with a bucket from sophomore guard Taryn Wicijowski, who finished with 10 points, five rebounds •> See UTAH, Page 8

-{\ggies top T-Birds, take third at Arizona quad

BY MEREDITH KINNEY sports senior writer USUatSUU

Utah State gymnastics topped Southern Utah University for the first time since 2005 to kick off Spring Break. The Aggies beat the T-birds by just under a point 194.200-193.700.

Sophomore Paige Jones and freshman Sarah Landes each had a share of the vault title, Jones won the floor and all-around titles outright, and senior Rebecca Holliday won bars.

Opening on bars, junior Amelia Montoya and freshman Kaitlyn Betts each scored a 9.750, and Holliday landed a 9.800. On vault Betts flipped to a 9.675 and Jones and Landes tied, each with 9.825. The Aggies' total score of 48.600 on the event was their second best of the season.

Holliday scored a 9.750 on floor before Jones tied her career high with a 9.850.

of Arizona on Friday. USU picked up its top road score of the season on bars and secondbest overall score of the season but ended up in third. The meet was won by No. 18 Arizona followed by Bridgeport University in second. The · Aggies held on to third place at 192.975, just ahead of the Air Force Academy at 192.175.

The Aggies were without junior Amanda Watamaniuk, who suffered a season-ending injury in practice. Jones was the top Aggie, tying for second on bars. She also tied for fourth in the allaround - one spot ahead of Holliday.

"We started a little slow," Jones said. "We had a few uncharacteristic mistakes." The Aggies opened up the meet on floor. Freshman Susie Miller scored a 9.725 after Montoya posted a 9.775. "It was a good performance," Utah State head coach Jeff Richards said. "We faltered in the second half of our lineup." On vault Jones registered 9.725 and Landes scored a 9.775. Freshmen Ashley Follet and Samantha Wagner were the top Aggie beam workers, each with 9.725. Utah State was on bars for the third rotation when Landes and Montoya each landed a 9.825. Jones scored a 9.850.

USU at Arizona Championships on March 24

The Aggies saw their final action of the week in a quad meet hosted by the University From Page 6

Aggies

to

"We were aggressive and confident," Jones said. "We hit." On beam Wagner posted a career-best 9.800 and Jones the most talent on beam and stuck a 9.775. floor," Richards said.

"Scorewise it seems to be The Arizona meet was our best event, but we have the Aggies' final regular sea-

face Loyola Marymount in quarterfinals

at half, started the run with a layup in the post, and USU never trailed the remainder of the game.

Idaho's first field goal of the game came on a layup five minutes into the contest from junior forward Wendell Faines. USU held the Vandals scoreless for the next six minutes until sophomore guard Stephen Madison hit a baseline jumper with the shot clock winding down.

"We were hustling out there," Medlin said. "We were getting rebounds, and we were making them mfss shots because of our energy. And th~t is what coach emphasized."

~USU shot 51.9 percent from the field arr:l 66.6 percent from 3-point land during the first half, and limited Idaho to 127.3 percent from the field and 16.7 pdrcent from 3-point range.

["We were really aggressive defensively_ in the first half," Morrill said. "We had a lot of deflections and they wJ're having a hard time scoring and thlt is what got us a nice halftime le£3 tiaaho went on several small runs d~ring the game, but the after the first h~f. USU never let its lead be less than 2l"We had a lot of intensity on the d ensive end and I think that halted thfir runs," USU freshman forward Ben Cl(fford said. "The big thing for us this gapie was to stop them in transition aif1 we had three guys back instead of -two. After scoring one point against B..\ersfield, USU's reserves scored 23 p~nt~ on the night with Clifford scoring eight points.

to be.' To their credit, they wanted to play and that's how they've been since we got beat in the (WAC) tournament."

USU shared the ball particularly well finishing with 21 assists. Senior guard Brockeith Pane notched a game-high 11 assists to one turnovers and chipped in seven points.

USU hosts Loyola Marymount University from the West Coast Conference on Wednesday at 7 p.m. as part of the CIT quarterfinal matches.

ty.d.hus@aggiemail.usu.edu

son meet before the Western Athletic Conference championships March 24. - meredith.kinney@aggiemail. usu.edu

I "Everybody was involved," Morrill sald. "I told them before the game, 'You ar~ either going to be excited and ready to:play or you're going to be completely flat. You've got to decide what you want d USU

rom Page 6

In the women's race Stephanie Burt finished second, while Hannah Williams took fourth and Kim Quinn finished fifth. Junior distance runner Brittany Fisher did not compete because she was injured in a rock climbing accident Monday morning. Gensel said USU probably would have had success in the 1500 even if his athletes weren't trying to run well for their injured teammate.

"I'm not saying that it didn't have anything to with it," Gensel said. "They're here for a reason in running, and although we support Brittany and mean well - and what's best for her and everything - the kids know that they're here for a reason and that's to run. And they are prepared for that, so they ran well."

Kaylee Campbell took second in the steeplechase with a time of 11 minutes, 38.60 seconds, and Austin Neuner took fifth in the men's with a 9:53.44.

Gensel said the young Aggie steeplechasers ran well in their first outdoor meet. "It's early in the season," he said. "We haven't had a chance to practice it outdoors, so that's good."

Camille Fehlberg won the 400 hurdles in 1:02.73 and Tyler Killpack finished second in the 800 in 1:54.23. "We've got a lot of the people who didn't win events," Gensel said. "But, we've got a lot of people who stepped up and performed well." Other performances include Silas Pimentel and Nie Bowens in the 100, clocking 10.57 and 10.58, respectively. Spela Hus took fifth in the shot put with a throw of 14.89. The Aggies will next compete in UC Irvine's Spring Break Invitational on March 23-24. - tavin.stucki@aggienzail.usu.edu

All concerned students and citizens are invited to the public hearing on the proposed increase. Comments are welcome.

Tennis teams drop three matches

--·· BY MEGAN BODILY staff writer

Utah

the No. 4 singles spot. Lenny Whiting fell to Johannes Markel 2-6, 2-6 in the No. 5 singles position and Nate Ballam lost to Willie Sublette 2-6, 1-6 at No. 6 singles. "This wasn't our best performance, we came in pretty confident but we lost our momentum in the matches," Assistant coach Bryan Marchant said. "We are disappointed with the finish."

USU 2,NAU 5

Poslusny defeated Robin Pezutto in three sets, winning 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 in the No. I singles position March 10. Peterson lost to Shaun Waters 4-6, 2-6 in the No. 2 singles spot and Sweet fell to Dominic Bermudez 2-6, 3-6 at No. 3 singles.

Freshman Curran Wearmouth lost to Patrick Schimmelbaur 2-6, 1-6. Ballam fell to NAU's Robert Martin 5-7, 2•6 in the No. 5 singles position.

USU's second win came from Lenny Whiting, defeating Ben Lantz 3-6, 6-2, l0-6.

"It is growing pains, it's never easy when you lose like that," Marchant said. "It's an opportunity to grow as a team, and we are looking to finish the year off a little bit stronger."

The team will play March 21-22 in Boise, Idaho taking on two top lOO nationally ranked teams, No. 61 University of Alabama and No. 14 Fresno State.

Women's

USU 2, Montana 5

After dropping a tough doubles point, the Aggies could not regain momentum to win the match March lO.

USU rolled in the first two singles positions but couldn't come away with any more wins.

Junior Jaci West dismissed Heather Davidson 6-2, 6-4 at No. 1 singles and freshman McKenzie Davis defeated Laurence Pelchat 6-4, 6-4 in the No. 2 singles position.

"They did the things they definitely wanted to come out and do," USU head coach Reagan Pebley said of Utah's second-half performance. "They showed some more patience. They just executed better."

Wicijowski and fellow sophomore forward Michelle Plouffe dominated the post in the second half, and the Utes dictated the rest of the game. The two combined for 30 points, 20 rebounds and six blocks.

"They got on the O-boards, got some second-chance opportunities," Pebley said. "We didn't capitalize on the time the ball was in the air."

Utah outscored the Aggies 45-27 in the second half en route to the 11-point victory.

USU finished the 2011-12 season with the loss but earne a school-record 21 wins.

- curtis.lundstrom@aggiemail.usu.ed~ - tavin.stucki@aggiemail.usu.edu

From Page 6 Baseball seeing success

at-bats. Jensen and third baseman Robert Garrett each had four RBIs in the game. Utah State's win puts the team at 10-4 overall with its four losses coming at the hands of junior college scholarship programs.

Utah State University• Logan, Utah• www.uta statesman.com

OurYiew

Legislature finally takes higher ed seriously

Each year as the Utah legislative session comes to end, along with residents throughout the state, we tally the score to find out whether the Legislature's actions are up to snuff. During recent years, a constitutionally imposed balanced budget requirement resulted in statewide budget cuts for all sorts of agencies and institutions - not the least of which was higher education.

Furthermore, when Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, relinquished his senatorial status more than a year ago, Utah higher education lost a major advocate as far as funding was concerned - Bennett, former member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, championed many budgetary victories for USU, as well as for higher education in general.

The past couple of years have been rocky for state and federally funded Utah programs. Concurrent budget cuts for higher education have led to faculty pay freezes, rising tuition and several other hindrances to the university's ability to fulfill its best potential. Any talk within the Legislature of another round of cuts might have resulted in a coup of sorts; however, this year's session seemed to be quieter than recent years.

Although sex education, abortion waiting periods and laxer gun laws have caused a stir within certain spheres, we're pleased to report this year that no budget cuts have been imposed on higher ed. In fact, it looks as though faculty members may actually see a slight increase in their pay levels - according to the Utah System of Higher Education, employee compensation was the "top priority for the 2012 Legislative Session."

Another hot-button topic that surfaced earlier in the session came after Sen. Steve Urquhart, R-St. George, visited USU to meet with various faculty and administrators; it's likely the senator made similar visits to fellow state institutions. A mission-based performance funding bill .was passed to reorganize the method in which state institutions qualify for funding. Essentially, universities will have to tighten the bootstraps and hold themselves to ever-heightening standards - something we as students can certainly stand behind.

Some faculty consider some of Urquhart's goals to be unorthodox, or at least farfetched, · but for the most part it seems Urquhart's valiant attempt to hold higher education accountable should pay off in the long run. As for now, the future of state funding for cutting-edge research as well as enrollment and retention initiatives looks bright. The question yet remains, however; and we already know our student fees will be substantially higher for upcoming semesters. What will our tuition payments look like come fall 2012?

Trust science, not infomercials

Have you ever been tempted to buy a product that sounds too good to be true? Did the salesperson quote some piece of scientific literature or rattle off some incredible statistic? Did this evidence provide the security to know it's proven to work? There are two types of science: one that generates products, and one that is sought after because of an existing product. Many people are fooled because of this difference. Pick up any women's magazine and you will find somewhere that chocolate helps with weight loss, improves cognitive ability and has loads of antioxidants; yet, on the next page there will be an advertisement depicting Dove milk chocolate. We've all heard that late-night ad selling the latest gadget, pill or procedure that will help you lose 178 pounds. We'd do anything to be the fit versions of ourselves, except that requires us to get off the couch. So, we listen to a spiel about how that pill works even when we're sleeping. It's science, so don't worry about it; yet, we're shocked when it causes heart failure. We talk ourselves out of the obvious healthy decisions true science teaches.

• See AS USU, Page 10

From the le~

A few days before Spring Break, I attended an event sponsored by Invisible Children - an organization dedicated to raising awareness about child soldiers and genocide in Uganda and central Africa.

If you haven't already seen it, their "Kony 2012" video spread quickly on the Internet and, as of right now, has more than 90 million views.

Their campaign focuses on the apprehension of one man, Joseph Kony, whose Lord's Resistance Army has conscripted thousands of Ugandan children into its ranks, forcing them to mutilate, rape and kill others.

Kony is one of the world's most-wanted men by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity.

The event I attended at USU featured Grace a young Ugandan woman who related her own heart-wrenching story of her and her family's losses - by Joseph Kony and the LRA.

I listened intently as she explained how she struggled to put her life back together, and how Invisible Children helped her attain an education through its scholarship program - all of which is admirable and laudatory

There is no doubt that Joseph Kony is a warcriminal and an evil man who deserves to pay for his crimes. Invisible Children is a vehicle to motivate people

See LEFT, Page 10

AColumn Divided

Two students take two angles on one political Issue

I I from the right

IA recent screening of Kony 2012 in northern Uganda generated so much anger it started a riot. Why?

"There is no historical context," reported a prominent Ugandan journalist. "It's more like a fashion thing."

That's my problem with the Kony movement. It's kitschy and gaudy - poppolitics calculated to appeal to the masses rather than reflect the reality of central Africa.

In saying this I mean no insult to Invisible Children - the non-profit responsible for the Kony movement. Instead the target of my criticism is the average American.

Invisible Children produced dumbed-down poppolitics because it would catch our ear. A real discussion of central Africa ' s problems would have been largely ignored. How do I know? Because such discussions have been held on legitimate sources such as BBC, Al Jazeera and Foreign Affairs yet, we don't pay attention to them. It was a slick YouTube video that, according to Ugandans, was more about an American and his child than Uganda.

What about the Kony campaign causes serious students studying folitics and the president o Uganda to roll their eyes? It oversimplifies the conflict by narrowly focusing on a single figure.

See RIGHT Page 10

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10

FROM THE LEFT, Page 9

to care about an issue like genocide, bringing attention to war crimes, and I certainly applaud their efforts.

But what left me with a bad taste in my mouth was Invisible Children's plan for apprehending Kony. They propose that we lobby our legislators to deploy U.S. forces into Uganda to work together with the Ugandan military to find and arrest Kony.

Though well-intended, I believe this is a bad solution.

It is worth noting that since October 2011, · 100 U.S. military advisers are already deployed in Uganda and are working with the Ugandan army partially as a result of Invisible Children.

There is a danger in solely relying on a 30-minute video to inform one's view on a situation as complex as that of Uganda's. This conflict didn't occur in a vacuum, and there is a long history behind the rise of the Lord's Resistance Army. Furthermore, U.S. involvement in complicated, long-standing ethnic conflicts never goes well. Does Afghanistan or Iraq

FROM ASUSU, Page 9

sound familiar to anyone? I believe what the CIA says when it talks about "blowback" or the unintended, negative consequences of U.S. intervention around the world. And though we like to believe that U.S. actions around the world are motivated purely by humanitarian concern this is often far from the case. As it happens, Uganda and other African countries recently discovered large oil reserves, which China is eyeing as it seeks to further develop its economy.

A strong American presence will seek to counterbalance China's encroachment on U.S. influence and power in the region. Let me be clear; I don't fault anyone for their support of Invisible Children, but I think more careful scrutiny is warranted before we throw weight behind something as serious as military deployments into foreign countries.

- Andrew Izatt is a sophomore majoring in economics and philosophy. Comments can be sent to him at andrew.izatt@aggiemail.usu.edu.

Compare this to our logical understanding of vaccinations. We have completely eradicated diseases like polio and small pox. Some people think vaccinations, such as hepatitis A, pose more of a health threat than not, but statistics show the opposite. All sciences are not created equal. Understand that experiments can be set up with specific results in mind and that good science will design that experiment with the hypothesis in mind. Good science has been peer t'feviewed by many other scientists and not just backed

fa few, wealthy companies. If you don't believe me, earch "high-fructose corn syrup" in Google and comare the top result, an advertisement, to the other top suits. This shows an example of science made to prorfuote a product.

Views&Opinion

THE RIGHT, Page 9

I support bringing Kony to justice, but it will do little to solve central Africa's problems Hitler's death did not win World War II, nor did Fascism arise because of him; it was won due to the product of socio-political circumstances Likewise, we won't solve Africa's problems, or even dismantle the Lord's Resistance Army, by incarcerating Kony.

Solving these issues takes a significant amount of time and energy from many people. In the big picture, capturing Kony is merely a drop in the bucket. Real change is more than liking a Facebook status, watching a half-hour pseudo-documentary or even purchasing an "action kit."

Many will criticize my comments, saying that at least people are trying to get involved and doing something is better than doing nothing. This is true, and I applaud people for doing what they know they can do. I believe that humans today reach out to help complete strangers more than ever before in history. I also believe, however, that we aren t doing enough. When are we going to take this seriously?

So what can you really do to make a difference? Start by becoming informed. For once, I agree with Bill Maher when he said, "If you watched that video and were shocked to discover that such terrible people live in the world, you need to fire whoever is homeschooling you "

development team, and not for the increase in sales based on a skilled marketing team

I provide examples related to health and wellness because I am a biochemistry major, but science advertising happens in electronics, the automobile industry and in the beauty industry. While I don't think we need to be prudent in everything we buy, I do think looking into good science is a valuable practice. Educating ourselves on the reality of science in products we purchase will only fortify faith in those products.

I believe many of us take this research and skew it to fit our lifestyles, instead of observing its true advice by changing old habits. Try to take a before-and-after look at the Atkins diet. For years, the founder spewed out countless articles and had a lot of supporting evidence that this diet worked However, when many people started developing symptoms of a disease known as Ketosis, the diet decreased in popularity

Monday, March 19, 2012

Joseph Kony may be No. 1 on the International Criminal Court's list of people indicted, but he is one of many. Each one is the product of a certain environment. The social conditions creating such men pose the real threat. We need to be aware of these issues.

Second, we must examine how we live. We aren't alone, but the U.S. is a spoiled country. As long as we live comfortably, too many are content being bystanders as others grapple with the impossible circumstances they were born into.

I am not implying we should all book a trip to Africa or donate all our earnings to charity. The world needs entrepreneurs, artists and engineers as much as social activists. Whatever you d,o, though, give back somehow Don't be a bystander We can all do more than change our Facebook status or wear a trendy bracelet.

We'll be surprised by how many problems disappear if we are cognizant of them, but I may be preaching to the choir. In all likelihood, those reading this column aren't the ones who needed to.

- Mike Burnham is a junior majoring in international relations and economics. Comments can be sent to him at mike.burnham@gmail.com.

This diet was appealing to many, due to the generous amounts of meat it allowed an individual to consume. A little bit of research would show the diet's negative effects. I think that we are quick to believe unchecked facts that we read in different forms of media and advertising. Take advice distributed through ad campaigns with a grain of salt. If you see the blurb, "research suggests," or "studies show," I suggest looking into the product's validity before accepting its promises as fact. Generally speaking, if an article or an author is cited directly, it's more likely to be accurate. Besides, at least you will be able to verify the facts. But you knew this, you're in college.

- Joe Watson sits on ASUSU's Academic Senate as senator

the College of Science. Comments on his column can

Argyle Sweater ('\oSE.S

The Joke,s On YOUI

We have a winnerl The votes have been counted, and here's the best of the gags that were submitted:

"I've heard offoreign tax shelters before but this is new to me "

The winning gag was submitted by:

David Eldredge, who wins a gift certificatel

Here's this week's chance to winl

Check it out! Take a look at this cartoon the only thing missing is the punch line, the big finish, the gag! You need to supply that for readers of The Statesman. Send you gag line to: statesman@usu.edu, subject llne: Gag line. We,11 post those on our website, www.utahstatesman.com, as soon as we get them and folks can vote for their favet Winner will receive a restaurant gi~ certificate! Deadline to send your gag: Tuesday noon.

Today is Monday, March 19, 2012. Today's issue of The Utah Statesman 1s published especially for Taylor Cardon, a freshman majoring in biology from Springfield, Utah Almanac

Today in History: On this day in 2003, the United States, along with coalition forces primarily from the United Kingdom, initiated war on Iraq.

Weather

High: 39° Low: 25° Skies: Partly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of scattered snow showers. Forecast:

Off Kith Student ID on regular-priced Items!

Statesman

Monday March 19

•>Lost

Tuesday March 20

•>Lost

Online training

The Utah Assistive Technology Program will present a FREE online interactive training, Alternative Input & High Tech Switches for Power Mobility, on March 21 from 3- 4:30 p.m. Training presented by Lisa Rotelli from Adaptive Switch Lab, will provide an overview of the designs and manufacturer?s products that allow individuals with disabilities to use computers, communicate, interface with their environments and achieve greater independence through powered mobility. In order to participate, you will need a computer with high-speed internet access. If you are interested in participating please RSVP by Friday, March 16, to Storee Powell via email storee. powell@usu.edu, or call 435-7977412. Participant instructions will be emailed to you.

Monday, March 19 -3:304:30 BUS 319 Study Abroad is pleased to announce that a representative, Dr. Meyer, from our partner school in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, will speak about Brazilian life and culture. All are invited to attend! There are opportunities to study in Brazil for Portuguese language as well as study in Englishsemester or summer programs.

Wednesday March 21

vs. Loyola Maramount, 7 p.m., Spectrum •>Jazz combos, Performance Hall at 7:30 p.m.

The Cache Valley Center for the Arts Ceramics program will begin their spring classes on Monday, March 19. Classes are offered for all ages and all skills. If you are looking for something to do this spring that is relaxing and fun , consider signing up for a ceramics class. Sign up for a 10 -week class or register your child for a 5-or 10-week session. For info or to register, visit CVCA online at www.CacheArts.org. All ceramic classes are held inside the Bullen Center Ceramic Studio located at 43 S. Main in Logan. Running low on closet space? Do you have more shoes

You Need to Know: than you know what to do with? Give your old wardrobe new life while helping young girls feel empowered and beautiful! From now until March 27, Utah State students are accepting donations of gently used prom dresses and other prom-specific items (shoes, purses, hats, gloves, and jewelry) to be loaned to local teens during a Prom Dress Drivel.Be Your Own Kind of Beautiful Event that will be held on March 28, 2012. The event itself will include a fashion show, hair and makeup tutorials, an advice booth, and a motivational speaker. Drop off dresses and accessories at the Alpha Chi Omega Sorority House (693 N 800 E. in Logan), and contact Danielle Adams [(847) 8490946] with questions. Common Ground liosts ice fishing on Thursday, March 22 at 2:00 pm. Cost is $3. We will be ice fishing at Hyrum Dam. Common Ground is a non-profit organization that provides outdoor recreation for people with disabilities To sign up for this activity as a participant or volunteer, request transportation, or to learn about other activities, call 713-0288. The Intensive English Language Institute (IELI) awards two $500 scholarships each year to former students who have completed all of the !ELI Level 4 course and are currently studying for a bachelors degree at USU. The scholarship will be awarded on the basis of intercultural involvement, academic scholarship, and financial need. Applications are available at the Intensive English Language Institute and the Office oflnternational Students and scholars. Applications are due in the !£LI office on March 21, 2012.