Snowman Gallery at USU cancelled due to warm weather

The Student Alumni Association’s Snowman Gallery Walk at Utah State University was postponed after the backup plans fell through.

“We had some backup plans in place in case it didn’t snow,” said Britnee Bromley, the SAA activities chairman. “We didn’t count on it being this warm, so even the snow maker wasn’t an option.”

The event has been postponed until Jan. 29 and appropriate changes have been made.

“All of our advertising was for the Snowman Gallery Walk so we decided to keep it the same,” said Paige Sjoblom, the SAA public relations director. “We are just changing it so it is less holiday-themed and more winter-themed.”

The SAA is going to use the extra planning time to make the event better, according to Bromley

“We would be dumb if we didn’t do more advertising and get more clubs involved,” said Bromley. “Now we have more time to do more advertising and get more decorations.”

Most participants still plan to take part in the event, even with it being postponed.

“The clubs were disappointed,” Sjoblom said. “But a lot of people wrote back and told us to count them in for January.”

Although the event was delayed, it was not due to lack of planning on the SAA’s part.

“I don’t want anyone to think it was lack of preparation,” Bromley said. “It will still be a great event. It will be a fun thing to do right when we get back from break.”   

Utah State gives trees to needy families

The Associated Students of Utah State University carry on the tradition of the annual Festival of Trees.

“It’s been a week designated to help student organization have the opportunity to provide service and get involved,” said Sloan Bailey, ASUSU traditions director and coordinator of the event. “Clubs and organizations decorated trees to donate to a family in need.”

Bailey said the event is beneficial for the participants.

“It’s a really easy way for clubs and organizations to get their members involved and give a little service,” Bailey said. “It also gives a good name to the university for helping out the people in Cache Valley.”

Zoe Fairbairn has worked to make sure the week went well.

“I’ve basically been Sloan’s right hand man this week,” Fairbairn said. “I’m just helping her with everything and making sure it goes smoothly.”

Incentives are provided for students who vote for their favorite tree.

“There are free cookies but you have to vote to get a cookie,” Fairbairn said. “It’s for a good cause, it’s fun to get involved with, and it’s fun to see how all the clubs decorated their trees.”

The festival is a week-long event.

“There is something every day,” Fairbairn said. “At the end of the week we are having an ugly sweater dance to celebrate the end of dead week and the end of Festival of Trees.”

The event is a good way to begin the holiday break for students, according to Bailey.

“I think it’s really important to the university because it helps students get in the holiday mood,” Bailey said. 

“It helps everyone to really remember the true meaning of why we celebrate the holidays, and puts them in that mindset.”

Academic Quadrathlon gives opportunities to USU students

Utah State University’s College of Agriculture took part in the Academic Quadrathlon hosted at USU on Nov. 27 and 28.

“It’s a national competition with the American Society of Animal Science,” said Brett Bowman, lecturer for the USU College of Agriculture and an organizer of the quadrathlon. “We are doing locals now. Whoever wins from locals will go to regions.  Whoever wins at regions goes onto nationals.”

The competition is made up of four segments: a written exam, an oral presentation or discussion, a practicum and a quiz bowl.

The written exam was comprised of 200 questions and each team was given two hours to complete it together.

The oral presentation required teams to study provided articles and graphs, specifically about the increasing average age of farmers, and then prepare and deliver a presentation about the information.

The practicum provided an opportunity for contestants to demonstrate their hands-on capabilities as they performed graded tasks with livestock in the all-day event.

The quiz bowl, modeled after the television show “Jeopardy!”, emphasized quick thinking as each team worked to correctly answer questions before their competitors.

“It’s all geared to test the knowledge they have acquired from their undergrad degree and hands on experience,” Bowman said. “It’s in relation to all livestock species, meat, and range. Anything from economics to business can be tested.”

It was the second time competing for Lauren Evans, a biology education major.

“It’s just a fun way to apply the knowledge you glean from all of your classes,” Evans said. “You have the opportunity to use that knowledge in a competitive atmosphere.”

Evans said the competition has been good experience for her. Her team finished in third place.

“I think it’s good to prepare students and to get them to participate in an extracurricular activity,” Evans said.

Jake Miller, a bio veterinary science major, competed for his first time this year.

“I will be applying for vet school this summer,” Miller said. “It will look good on my resume, plus it’s a good networking opportunity.”

Miller’s team won the local competition and will be competing at regions in June. Miller will continue to study the materials during the months before the next advancement of the quadrathlon.

Bowman said the competition is set up to help students with their future careers.

“The competition gives them that edge,” Bowman said. “It’s something to pad their resumes with and also good experience.”

Think Tank provides solutions for USU students

At Utah State University, student advocate Christian Orr is working to eliminate problems through the 

Student Voice Think Tank, which is made up of a group of undergraduates.

“Think tank is the reformed student voice committee,” Orr said. “The difference between this year and previous years is that we are not an organized group of complainers. We actively go to the students and look for things that can be improved, created, or stopped and then we execute it.”

The think tank came from several different ideas, according to Orr.

“It’s actually quite common in government,” Orr said. “It’s kind of a bureaucratic committee with some of the zesty passion of youth.”

Orr has a committee comprised of 12 students working on various projects.

“Right now I am working to make everything transparent for students,” said Kiri Higham, a think tank committee member. “We want them to be able to see exactly where their money is going.”

The think tank requires the committee members to do research on their topics.

“I am looking through years and years of student fees,” Higham said. “We will be showing students what their tuition has been used for in the past.”

For Higham, the think tank has been an opportunity to get involved with student leaders.

“I’ve met really awesome people who have such a passion for serving the students of USU,” Higham said. “I’ve gained a lot of respect for this school.”

According to Orr, school pride is one of the think tank’s governing factors.

“Students need to take ownership and pride in their campus through their actions,” Orr said. “That doesn’t happen overnight.”

While there is still a lot of work to be done, Orr views the beginning stages of the think tank as an accomplishment.

“I would say so far it has been successful,” Orr said, “but it is only in the beginning stages of what it can be.”

Utah State University fraternity helps the fight against prostate cancer

By Heidi Smith
Jcom 1130/Section 002

Utah State University fraternity Sigma Phi Epsilon, fundraised throughout the month of November for prostate cancer research.

With more than $1,000 raised, the SigEps were more successful than this year than last, according to Movember co-chair Braden Allen.

Movember is a non-profit organization dedicated to curing prostate cancer and creating awareness about the disease.

“We stumbled across Movember last year and thought it was a great idea,” Allen said. “We created a team on the Movember organization website, and they sent us some supplies to get started.”

Allen said the SigEps began more prepared this year.

“Everything happened on the fly last year,” Allen said, “After some trial and error this year has been a lot more planned out and a lot more successful.”

Last year, Allen said, the fraternity focused primarily on private donations, but this year it worked to offer a wider range of ways to get involved or to donate.

“We sold hot chocolate, T-shirts, and mustache buttons, and we had the Mustache Bash,” said Michael Ruefenacht, a Movember co-chair. “The bash was really successful. We charged $1 to get in and we sold T-shirts at the door. We made quite a bit in donations, and the bands that came said they would love to come back next year.”

Ruefenacht said SigEp plans to make Movember an annual fundraising effort.

Student Alumni Association comes up with a plan B for The Snowman Gallery

The Snowman Gallery Walk put on by the Student Alumni Association at Utah State University is set for Tuesday, whether there is snow or not.

“I was panicking, but we came up with a lot of backup plans,” said Brittnee Bromley, the SAA activities chairman. “I just think if there is anything we can do to get the snow here we are going to do it.”

Many plans were in the works when the SAA council found the weather forecasts would be less than ideal for the event.

“When we realized it wasn’t going to snow before Tuesday we started brainstorming,” said Paige Sjoblom, the SAA public relations director. “We thought of postponing it, or changing it to gingerbread house contest or a showing of Elf.”

With 24 clubs registered, Bromley decided changing the event or cancelling was not an option.

“We have a big old snow maker and we are going to run it throughout the night,” Bromley said. “We don’t want to entirely bank on that. We are going up to the mountains and filling a trailer with snow too.”

Bromely said the imported snow might even give the event more appeal.

“We are going to be the only place in town with snow,” Bromley said. “It’ll just be something really fun right before finals.”

Various campus clubs and organizations were invited to decorate a snowman to represent their groups.

“We have so many clubs involved,” Sjoblom said. “I can’t wait to see what everyone does to show off their individuality.”

Sjoblom said the SAA was pleased with the club involvement in the event.

“We have so many different organizations from the Medieval Club to the USU Ski Club,” Sjoblom said. “I think it will just be a fun unifying thing before we all leave for break.”

Utah State students wrestle pigs

Pig wrestling is becoming an annual contest put on by the Animal Science Club at Utah State University.

This Friday will be the second time the club has held the event.

Teams of four can pay a $25 entry fee to compete to put a greased pig in a barrel as quick as possible. 

There is a $1 entry fee to watch the competition at the USU south farm.

“It was an idea we came up with last year,” said Nick Denton, an Animal Science Club member. “It seemed like a pretty decent idea because pig wrestling is always fairly popular at fairs and such.”

The Animal Science Club was surprised with the popularity of the event last year, according to Denton.

“There were just a lot of people having fun,” Denton said. “We made quite a bit of money from team sign up, and the audience was highly entertained.”

Chelcey Holbrook, president of the Animal Science Club, said she hopes the success is repeated this year.

“It was really good last year, that’s why we are doing it again,” Holbrook said. “It’s pretty muddy and greasy and oily and slick and great.”

Holbrook said the group also uses the event to raise awareness about the Animal Science Club.

“It’s not only absolutely hilarious,” Holbrook said. “But it’s a good fundraiser for us, a chance for people to get involved in agriculture and see what we do with pigs.”

For those that are hesitant to participate, Holbrook encouraged students to try it out.

“Just come see what it is,” Holbrook said. “Or if you know what it is, get a team together. It doesn't matter if you've done it before, it’s just good clean fun.”

ORP works to keep students safe this winter

The Utah State University Outdoors Recreation Program educated students on how to be safe while participating in outdoor winter sports at their snow safety clinic on Wednesday.

“The clinic is focused on the risk and hazards that are found on the back country in the winter associated with avalanches,” said Brian Shirley, program coordinator for the ORP. “We discussed ways you can make yourself aware of those hazards and how you can learn skill sets of how to get away from those hazards.”

Shirley said the clinic was necessary to USU students because of their interest in outdoor winter sports and Cache Valley’s topography.

“Many students are into skiing or snowmobiling. They should have some type of formal training,” Shirley said. “We do have a high avalanche terrain. Any students interested in those activities should find a way to be educated.”

Most cases of avalanche related deaths are due to ignorance, according to Shirley.

“I have seen poor decision making by users in the area,” Shirley said. “It’s almost always related to poor information and poor prior knowledge.”

ORP marketing coordinator Cory Checketts said he hoped students in attendance would make smarter decisions this winter.

“I hope students got a better understanding of what to expect while in the back country,” Checketts said. 

The ORP bases all they do around student needs, according to Checketts.

“The ORP’s top priority is student safety,” Checketts said. “We are here to get students involved and inform them and educate them.”

Shirley said the training provided important knowledge, but students should keep learning about avalanche conditions if they plan to participate in outdoor winter activities.

“I’m hoping students gained a broader respect and understanding for the hazards that exist,” Shirley said. “I hope for them to seek out more in-depth training.”

International Pageant shows USU students diversity

The Miss and Mister International Pageant held on Saturday was the final event of Diversity Week at Utah State University.

Sandra Molina, Miss Mexico, and Hironori Saeki, Mr. Japan, were the winners of the pageant.

For Geraldine De La Mota, who was in charge of the event, it was the end of months of preparation.

“It’s been a week of celebration of different cultures,” De La Mota said. “Everything has gone according to plan. All the hard work has paid off.”

De La Mota said she planned the pageant with the intent of showcasing different cultures of USU students.

“There are a lot of international students at this university,” De La Mota said. “We like to not only celebrate but also teach other students what it is like in the world.”

Angie Batista, vice president of the International Student Council, planned the pageant last year.

“Last year we had a lot of United States students come which is really what we want,” Batista said. 

“International students will come to support their friends, but it is nice to see United States students.”

The pageant had 11 contestants who participated in a talent to represent their own culture.

“It’s important that they were able to share parts of their country,” Batista said. “We had a lot of different 

countries represented. That’s why we do this, to show students different country’s cultures.”

De La Mota said USU is a great place for international students.

“USU is rich in culture because of all the international students that have come here,” De La Mota said. 

“Diversity Week is a way to show the different cultures students at USU come from.”

USU Japan Club has poor attendance at tsunami documentary showing

“Protecting Today: A Documentary on the Aftermath of the 3/11 Tsunami” was shown Thursday by the Utah State University Japan Club.

The turn out was disappointing according to club president Hsin-Fang Wang.

“We were hoping for many more people,” Wang said. “Over the summer we had about 200 people come, tonight we had less than 20.”

The Japan Club held a showing for students and the Cache Valley community in July, because of the documentary’s connection to Utah State University.

“When the documentary was being made the author wanted it to be more global,” said Kaytlin Talbot, vice president of the club. “USU got a portion of the documentary and translated it.”

Talbot said the club felt it necessary to bring the documentary back during the school year so that more students had the opportunity to see it.

“We feel it’s important for students to know what is going on in other parts of the world,” Talbot said. “Our world is becoming more globalized, so why not educate people with things that are going on?”

Talbot said she had hoped more students would come to the documentary showing.

“I wish more students were more informed about what was going on there,” Talbot said. “We wanted to get the word out to more students about what it was really like right after the tsunami.”

Wang said he was discouraged by the lack of student attendance.

“One of the reasons we wanted to show this documentary is to spread the culture of Japan,” Wang said. “It’s more than samurais and castles and weird TV shows.”

Despite the low attendance rate at the event, Wang said he still has hope that the Japan Club will be able to make USU students more aware of the Japanese culture.

“We have a lot of events planned that we want to do when the club gets bigger,” Wang said. “We will just keep trying to do fundraisers to build it up.”

Students Are Already Speculating Who the Next Student Body President Will Be

It is three months away from the Associated Students of Utah State University elections and rumors have been circulating who will enter the February election for student body president.

Two speculated candidates according to some current ASUSU officers are Chaise Warr and Douglas Fiefia.

Warr said he was surprised to find rumors were being spread concerning his intent to run for president.

 “I haven’t officially decided, it would probably postpone my graduation,” said Warr, who is currently vice president of programming for ASUSU. “It would be worth helping the university; I am just trying to plan for the future as well.”

The current Mr. USU, Fiefia, also had concerns about how running for president would affect his future.

“There are a lot of factors, from your schedule to thinking about your time commitment,” Fiefia said. “For me it is a decision I have to discuss with my wife, which for most other people that are thinking of running-- that isn't an issue.”

Both candidates are still unsure if they will enter the race, but feel they would be an asset to the university as student body president.

“I have been able to establish associations with the administration and students through my position,” Warr said. “I know that would help me in my office.”

Fiefia also feels he has made connections through his involvement that could help the student body. 

“I have been involved in various organizations at USU that cover a wide variety of students,” Fiefia said. “I feel like I could represent each student at USU no matter their background.”

Legally Blonde: The Musical

“Legally Blonde: The Musical” premiered at Utah State University Nov. 1 and runs until Saturday.

One scene in particular has caused some controversy on campus.

Kayli Jackson, a USU student who is starring as the lead Elle Woods kissed her real-life teacher Richie Call onstage.

“I wouldn’t say it’s unethical, but it is definitely not the best practice,” said Alanna Hill, assistant director of 

Student Involvement and Leadership at USU. “As a professional that works with students I would never put myself in that situation.”

Some students who attended the musical were surprised to find out Call was an actual professor of Jackson.

“I feel like that parallels the whole story line of the musical really well,” said Trent Morrison, a USU student who attended the musical. “It’s strange that he plays her professor on stage and is also her professor in real-life. I personally would feel really uncomfortable about that.”

Students from the theater department said the onstage kiss was nothing out of the ordinary. Outside the department other students felt it was inappropriate.

“I’m really surprised the department would allow that,” Morrison said. “I don’t know how it couldn’t be awkward with your teacher after that. It just seems very scandalous to me.”

Theater student Katie Francis was in a similar situation when she was required to kiss Call onstage for her performance in “Big River” earlier this semester.

“If I had to kiss my physics teacher that would be way different than having to kiss a theater teacher,” Francis said. “The theater department is different in that way.”

Francis felt her relationship with Call remained unchanged after their onstage kiss.

“Richie conducts himself with such professionalism,” Francis said. “He has a really good relationship with his students.”

The second-half of the semester can be a stressful time for Utah State University Students according to Counseling and Psychological Services.

With finals imminent, CAPS held a relaxation workshop on Tuesday to help students cope with the stress.

“When we get stressed we go into a fight or flight response,” said Tom Berry, the CAPS workshop instructor. “It gets in the way of people being able to focus, concentrate and sleep.”

Through his work with CAPS, Berry said he has seen many students suffer from ailments due to stress.

 “It’s a stressful time, and it can create a lot of wear and tear on the body,” Berry said. “This workshop is designed to give students relaxation techniques to help reduce the effects of stress.”

CAPS offers a variety of workshops in areas regarding student health throughout the year and the most popular workshops are often repeated each semester.

“We’ve found more we get more interest in workshops that deal with stress,” said Maren Seamons, a workshop coordinator for CAPS. “After mid-term has been a good time to do a relaxation workshop because students seem to need to calm down before finals.”

USU freshman Deanne Hess is one example of a student who has utilized these workshops to help enhance her academic performance.

“I went to a stress management workshop by CAPS earlier in the semester, and they recommended the relaxation workshop to me,” Hess said. “I’m really glad I came, I learned a lot of techniques and I think they will be really beneficial to me.”

The workshop was geared toward using relaxation to help students focus.

“I am absolutely going to use these techniques before my finals,” Hess said. “I’m glad I was able to take advantage of this workshop. I didn’t realize relaxing could help me so much with school.”

An alcohol awareness week took place on Oct. 24-25 at Utah State University.

According to Ryan Barfuss, a prevention specialist for the Health and Wellness Center, 74 percent of USU students choose to abstain from alcohol.

“Students are affected by alcohol whether they think so or not,” said Barfuss. “A roommate or a friend or someone they know may drink. We want them to be prepared in cases of alcohol poisoning; we just want everyone to be safe.”

The Health and Wellness Center had information booths and simulation activities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the International Lounge of the Taggart Student Center.

“The Bear River Health Department has a booth, and there will be a lot of information about drunk driving and safe drinking practices,” said Margie Hegerhorst, Barfuss’s intern. “There will be a beer goggle activity to show how alcohol affects you, if you’ve never drank.”

Hegerhorst said the activities will be applicable to students who choose to drink as well.

“I drink, and I never realized how much it affected me until now,” said USU student Heidi Justice, after participating in the beer goggle simulation. “But if these goggles are accurate to a .08 blood alcohol level, I am worried for the safety of myself and others.”

Being an experienced drinker, Justice was surprised to learn the alcohol standard drink size.

“A little alcohol impairs you much more than you think it does,” Justice said. “I have always thought I knew my own limits, but after reading the brochure, I feel like I drink a lot more than standard serving sizes.”

The week was also geared toward the prevention of drunk driving.

“The police department had an activity that simulated drunk driving,” Hegerhorst said. “It showed how you lose control when you drive with too much alcohol in your system.”

The Health and Wellness Center had hoped this week would be successful in educating USU students on safe alcohol consumption practices, according to Barfuss.

“We are not advocating abstinence from alcohol,” Barfuss said. “We are informing students how to drink responsibly if they choose to drink, and are of age.”

Barfuss also said there are resources beyond this week to get more information about alcohol consumption.

“We teach alcohol classes, but I’m also available to answer any questions students have, even if they just want more information, they can come talk to me.” Barfuss said.