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Show THE /^1 WEBER STATE UNIVERSITY SIGNPOST MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2008 wsusignpost.com WSU hosts olympians participating this year. Olympians who participated ranged from eight-years-old to senior citizens. Some of the athletes have competed since Utah's first year of Special Olympics. "It is always a different challenge every year," said Tony Marino, an Ogden with the Special Olympics for more than resident participating in the alpine skiing event. .. 20 years. Marino said he has participated in Events included in this year's Special Olympics foryears competition are and last year attended the alpine skiing, alpine "All the athletes are Special Olympics World snowboarding, great individuals, Games in Shanghai, China cross-country skiing to compete in golf. and snowshoeing. and while they may "We get to meet a lot Both Powder of great people," said not all be winners, Mountain and North Jason Deppen, Marino's Fork Park worked they all have great teammate. together to host the Attending opening games on Saturday, attitudes." ceremonies were the WSU Feb. 2. football team, Ogden Inyearspast, figure City Police, the Knights - Pat Christensen, and speed skating of Columbus and Waldo had been included, Special Olympic coach the Wildcat. WSU football but unforeseen players helped escort problems pushed regional teams into the SUB Ballroom back these competitions into April. Nearly 200 athletes and coaches are as Ogden City Policemen stood to greet Special athletes compete in winter games By Cina Barker sr. news reporter I The Signpost On Friday, Feb. 1, Weber State University hosted the statewide Special Olympics of Utah (SOUT) and held the opening ceremonies in the Shepherd Union Building ballrooms to signify the beginning of the 2008 Winter Games. The international organization is celebrating its 40th anniversary, and Utah is celebrating its 39th year of participating with Special Olympics. "All the athletes are great individuals, and while they may not all be winners, they all have great attitudes," said Pat Christensen, a family member of a special Olympian and coach of skiing and bowling. "The Special Olympics really opens a lot of doors." Christensen said he has been involved and shake hands with all the athletes and coaches. The traditional Lighting of the Cauldron ceremony included officers who escorted three of the athletes with the Light of Hope torch. Officer Jamie Garcia said he is proud to be a part of the games. "Obviously, it is an honor to be involved," Garcia said. "Both the administration and the officers support the Special Olympics and will continue to foryears." Most athletes' training is performed in very small groups to help the athlete as much as possible. Competing in any event requires each athlete to attend a set amount of time to train for the safety of everyone involved. Both alpine sports and cross-country require at least 10 weeks of training to participate. Ashley Averet is a student at Utah State and a Special Olympics coach for downhill skiing. "I coach mostly intermediate skiers," See Special page 6 Super Tuesday flies to voting booths Candidates number narrows as the election day hears By Jestina Clayton sr. news reporter I The Signpost The votes of Weber State University students are up for grabs because many students have yet to study the candidates and decide whom to vote for during the primary elections. This TYiesday, Feb. 5, Utah joins 21 other states across the nation that would participate in election primaries or caucuses to vote for presidential candidates. The candidate with the greatest wins will most likely win the nomination for his or her party in the summer, when both the Republican and Democratic parties hold their National Conventions. The fact that former Major Rudolf Giuliani of New York City and former Senator John Edwards left the competition last week, leaving only five contenders for the presidency, has not made it any easier for WSU students to make up their minds. Senators Hillary Clinton andBarrack Obama are the leading contenders for the Democratic Party, and former Governors Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney and Senator John McCain are the presidential hopefuls for the Republican Party. However, some political analysts claim that Huckabee's candidacy may not continue because he hasn't been able to garner the financial support that he needs to maintain thinks it's about time that America his campaign. While some WSU students say has a diverse president. "I'll probably vote for Obama," they already know whom they'll Meyer said. vote for, others say they need more Like Stratford, Alec Baty, a WSU information about the candidates freshman majoring in human before they make up their minds. "I still have to look into the performance, said he is not sure policies of the candidates," said who he'll vote for. He said his Brian Stratford, a WSU student classes have kept him too busy to follow the race. majoring in public "I haven't relations. followed the Stratford election debate said that close enough," although he Baty said. plans to vote tomorrow, he Although needs to get Baty is still PHOTO BY CATHERINE MORTIMER 1 THF SIGNPOST "educated" undecided as Weber State University guard Kellen McCoy passes the ball from about the to whom to his stomach after diving for a loose ball Thursday night at the candidates vote for during Dee Events Center. McCoy had 12 points and three steals to help so that he to mo r row 's the Wildcats defeat Idaho State University 59-57 and move info can make p r i m a r y sole possession of first place in the Big Sky Conference. " ; an informed election, he choice. said he agrees with some of Though PHOTOS SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS Hillary Clinton's Stratford policies. doesn't know whom he'll vote for, Lewis Fields, a WSU Becky Hendriksen, a political freshman, said he'll vote for Mitt science major, said she plans to Romney. participate in tomorrow's election but she won't vote for Clinton. "Romney seems to do what he believes is right and not just what "I plan to vote for Romney," people want him to do," Fields Hendriksen said, "because he's said. not a hardcore Republican but a moderate." He said that even though She said people have Ro m n e y 's been quick policies on many areas around the country, to criticize welfare and other By Hyrum Rappleye "WSU is experiencing the same baby Mitt Romney issues that have correspondent I The Signpost boomer retirement challenges," for switching traditionally Weber State University could lose said Chem'e Nelson, assistant vice positions been picked up president of Human Resources, "that on policies, by Democratic 37 percent of faculty and staff over the every organization in America is next six years as baby boomers begin Romney is candidates are to retire. experiencing. a moderate sound. She said With the uncertainty of when Baby boomers belong to the Republican she doesn't listen generation born between 1946 and faculty or staff will retire, Weber State who is able to Romney's 1964. According to the U.S. Census University must ensure the vacancies to look on critics who say Bureau, as of July 1, 2005, there was created by those retiring at WSU are both sides of he flip-flops on an estimated 78.2 million baby filled in order to maintain a successful boomers in America, all of which will learning environment the issues and choose to do that issues. "Every department at WSU is which is right. According to a recent survey begin retiring and tapping into Social dealing with this challenge by using Spencer Meyer, a WSU freshman conducted by Dan Jones of the Security reserves. strategies that work best for them," majoring in marketing, said he Deseret Morning News, 65 percent As they begin to retire, fears said Nelson. "For instance, some of not receiving Social Security supports Obama's stance on several benefits are rising but those fears faculty members are delaying issues. In addition, Meyer said he See Super page 6 must not interfere at WSU. like See Retire page 6 Retirees lower the boom Social Security gets further away as baby generation ages A day in the life... Ski tech See page 5 VOLUME 78 ISSUE 60 Senator attempts to reduce carbon footprint By Gina Barker sr. news reporter I The Signpost Friday's Weber State University Student Senate debate brought forward a resolution written by WSU Traditional Student Senator John Hill. The resolution aims to bring further awareness to the faculty and administration about the concern for environmental awareness of the student body. The resolution is commending WSU's initiative and is promoting furthering these actions, but more specifically is asking Weber State to recognize possible policies for the campus to help reduce carbon emissions. The resolution is attempting to gain administrative support and to raise campus awareness of the environmental issues facing the world today. In attempting to combine university and student support to reduce campus carbon emissions, the resolution's potential can be met, according to Hill. WSU has already made an effort to use energy-saving products. The university has switched to energy-saving light bulbs, has purchased more efficient oil furnaces, and is using LEED standards for the new humanities building. "The university has moved to make the campus more environmentally friendly," Hill said, "and this resolution commends what has been done so far. Hopefully, the administration will continue to make these kinds of choices." Because Student Senate can only act as a voice for student concerns and cannot hold any obligation on the administration, the resolution will gain as much support as possible to demonstrate campus-wide support before taking it to the administration. If the resolution passes through the Student Senate, Hill said he hopes to bring the resolution to the Faculty Senate. If it passes through the Faculty Senate, the resolution can then be taken to the WSU President to discuss possible implications around campus. "I think it's great that Weber has taken this opportunity and has helped Utah's environment," said Jan Taylor, a WSU telecommunications major. Other universities have begun to introduce new environmental policies to cut carbon emissions, including University of Idaho, NYU and the Pratt Institute. These schools belong to the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, a collection of universitypresidentsdedicating their support and personal commitment to reducing their campuses' emissions of greenhouse gases. Jared Olsen, Social and Behavioral Sciences senatorand member of the Environmental Initiative Committee, co-signed the resolution in the Student Senate. "The purpose of this resolution," Olsen said, "is to make the administration See Carbon page 6 Friday's paper was not distributed due to campus closure. Select stories have been reprinted in today's paper. Check wsusignpost.com for the rest of Friday's stories. |