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Show news 04.19.2010 Czech Ambassador speaks on human rights at UVU ^ACpBMcNUjULANj News writer UVlTs God and Human Rights Conference kicked off with a thoughtprovoking speech from Martin Palous, Czech Ambassador to the United Nations, last Wednesday in LI 120. Sponsored by UVU's peace and justice studies program, in collaboration with the religious studies and honors programs, the symposium featured a day-long barrage of speakers representing all sides of the philosophical spectrum. The theme of this conference was "Are Faith or Foundations Necessary?" Each speaker explored the question of whether human rights are necessarily rooted in belief in God or in a natural order of things. President Holland explained that the idea originated by a visit to the United Nations, where he first met the Czech Ambassador. "By the end of the visit, I had extended an invitation to Palous to come and visit UVU" Palous read extensively from the writings of Jan Patocka, whom he called "the most important Czech philosopher of the 20th century," particularly from his Charter 77 manifesto. A native citizen of Prague who was personally acquainted with Patocka in his lifetime, Palous used these ideas to postulate that human rights are rooted in plurality, rather than any religious or natural foundation. The Czech philosophers who came together to form Charter 77, he said, "discovered the binding power of acting together." He argued that the basis for these rights were "not so much connected with rights themselves, but the duty of others to raise up their voice when someone's rights are violated." "With each newborn human being is a new beginning in the world, a new chance in the world," said Palous. "And new beginnings need to be protected. That's why human rights are essential in that context." His secular argument set the tone for the following speeches in the day, given by professors of politics and philosophy from University of Utah, BYU, and Catholic University of America. But according to Director of peace and justice studies Michael Minch, the most important figure behind a!] of this was UVU's own president, "This wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for President Holland," he said. "It was his idea." For his own part, Holland made a convincing case for his choice of Palous JAOOB MCMILLAN/ UVU Review Czech Ambassador Martin Palous argues that human rights are based on plurality. to initiate the dialogue: "In Plato's'Republic,' Socrates' hope was that power and philosophy would collide; this seems to be exactly what has happened with Ambassador Palous," he said. Seniors help with their capstone project Asst" News editor A crowd of around 40 people gathered at the Spanish Fork Fire Department on April 5 to witness the presentation of a $700 check to the family of a girl diagnosed with spinal meningitis. Students Dave Kreis and John Pine collected donations for the family to complete their senior capstone project for the Technology Management department at UVU. The project was named "Project Kelsey" after Kelsey Anderson. The ultimate goal of the project was to raise enough money to install a lift system in the house that would allow easier wheelchair access to the girl's home. Because of difficult economic times, the plan for the project was altered slightly, but enough money "I've been at this school a was raised to purchase a long time and I think this is lift gate for the vehicle of the first time I've ever felt the family. The lift gate school spirit like this and it will simplify the process of was because of this class. elevating the wheel chair I thought you know what into the family's vehicle. I'm a senior and I'm going "It was a very rewarding to go and do something meaningful." thing to do," said Dave Kreis described the Kreis. "John created the idea project as heart-warming. of helping someone out and He expressed gratitude at for us to be able to actually go out and do something for being given such a unique opportunity to help someone someone that doesn't have in need. the physical means to help Maceys provided themselves made us both sandwiches and food to help feel really good." celebrate Saturday's event. On average the project Other sponsors included itself has required 25 Temkin International, hours of work per student Powerstream, Goodies outside their regular class Cakes and Sweets of woVk. Each Wednesday the Spanish Fork, Wayne pair would visit different Shelton Physical Therapy companies to discuss potential sponsorship of the and several others. Kreis and Pine will event. present the results of their "For the senior capstone project we had the option to project to the department do whatever we wanted and Dean and classmates on April 20. that was great," said Pine. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE U.S. Census Bureau Local Census Office 2015 North 550 East Provo. UT 84604 Photos by JAMES PURCELL / UVU Review Kelsey Anderson name sake of the "Project Kelsey" was the recipient of a senior project by students Dave Kreis and John Pine. dwitkwwmmu a .CARRIAGE Dear Student, Call for info... 374-2700 The 2010 Census is mandated by the U.S. Constitution and authorizes the U.S. Census Bureau under the Department of Commerce to enumerate every person living in the United States every 10 years. Participation by responding to the Census questionnaire is mandatory by law but more importantly is the significance and impact of the data collected. The data from the 2010 Census will be used to determine the number of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives each state is allocated as well as how much of over $400 billion dollars in federal funds are available to each state annually. Each person will be counted where "each person lives and sleeps most of the time" during the year. Though you may not be a permanent resident of Utah, if you are a full-time student here, you live and sleep in Utah most of the year and need to be counted with the rest of the Utah population. As a student-resident of Utah you enjoy and take advantage of many of the services and programs funded by federal money that comes to the state because of census data. These include healthcare, emergency services, educational research grants, job services, park and recreation programs and many, many more. Students in colleges and universities are counted in two different ways. If you five in an on-campus dorm, hall, sorority or fraternity that is sponsored or managed by your school, you are counted in the Group Quarters Enumeration. On a prearranged day, through your facility's administration, census takers will come and hand out questionnaires to each resident. You should complete this Individual Census Report for just yourself and return it to the census worker by the designated date and time. SPACIOUS PRIVATE LIVING If you live in off-campus housing, you should have already received the 2010 Census Questionnaire for this living quarter. Complete your portion of the census form and if you don't live alone, you should complete a section of the questionnaire for each other person that lives with you at this address. Then mail it back using the provided envelope. To avoid possible duplication, please remind your parents or other individuals you may live with elsewhere the remainder of the year, to not include you in the census form they received. Additional replacement forms are available or if you have any questions, call 866-872-6868 and a census worker will assist you. Any information you provide is strictly confidential and protected under Title 13 of the U.S. Constitution which means that no person or agency can access your personal information for 72 years after it is collected. Only the statistical tabulations are released publicly before then. So, please, "Be Counted!" Be a part of something vitally important to the state and community where you are attending college. It is a meaningful way to participate in our nation and to have your voice heard. Your cooperation and support for the 2010 Census i%greatly appreciated. _ ^ deluded Large Storage Closets 1 Microwave/Dishwasher Jos New laundry Center t Large Pool/Jacuzzi • Best Sand Volleyball In town • Gazebo-Picnic Patio Regards, • • Public Bus Service Leaving every 15 Minutes from Complex. • • Close to Shopping Malls, Theatres and Restaurants. Matt Mace Local Census Office Manager USCENSUSBUREAU 2010 CENSUS: ITS IN OUR HANDS WWW.2010census.gov 606 West 1720 North • Provo |