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Show A? Text: Lynn Soltys An ecumenical fellowship is the organizational structure of the Newman Center. The president of the board is Methodist, the secretary is Presbyterian and the treasurer is Lutheran. Also, other local churches use the Newman Center facilities to perform their ministry. "Our goal is to be a witness or a visible sign for Catholic and Protestant students since we do ministry for both," said Ernesto Garza, director of the Newman Center. Needs of the students are addressed through the associations with other students, activities and counseling. "The basic need of the students is to form an identity," said Garza. Faith identity, especially for Catholic and Protestant students, is usually the first reason they come to the Newman Center. According to Garza, there are essentially two groups of students at the Center: students who come to relax and enjoy the atmosphere and students who participate in the activities offered at the Center. The Student Council at the Newman Center plans the activities. The secretary is the only official position on the council. Other members volunteer or are selected for positions, depending on the event that is being planned. According to Garza, the Center receives more participation from its students at social activities than from the classes. Activities that are provided for the students include a monthly dinner and movie evening program, breakfast served on Mondays, lunch on Wednesdays, and a Mass each Sunday. Sudents are also encouraged to participate in the Intramural sports program in conjunction with Weber State College. "It is up to the students how much they are willing to participate," said Garza. In the past, the Center has worked with youth groups associated with different parishes in the local community and adapt centers in the area, said Garza. Many of the servicecommunity projects have been fund raisers for charities, such as blood drives. However, these projects are not conducted on a regular basis. The Newman Center provides weekend retreats for its students. An annual Inter-Newman Days is scheduled during spring quarter. The nine Newman Centers throughout the state are invited to attend. This year, the weekend retreat consisted of a keynote speaker, concert, softball and volleyball tournaments, and an obstacle course relay. This year, Newman CenterWSC won the relay. There was a combined attendance of 150 students and 50 of those were from WSC. There are Newman Centers at most college campus locations. "We lose a little of our identity here because most students attend their own local churches," said Garza. Sunday Mass consists of 35 students that live near or on campus, he said. The Newman Center is a member of the Association of Registered Organizations (ARO) of WSC. RELIGIOUS ARCHITECTURE, located north of the Weber State campus, displays itself against the Wasatch mountain range. The Newman Center and the LDS Institute form a spiritual oasis for student and faculty participants. (Signpost photos: Jeff Bybee) . ' . - - ? ( ' T' ' t -awflrt"" 1 Religion -1 fc !" - w swans mm ? hhboj asm .4 M M HI lif a fljf ft BFABia.'- filnltkr n i'-WHUWMMIIM IIH Developing a well-rounded individual by achieving excellence in mind, body and spirit is the goal of the Latter-Day Saint Student Association," said Jerry W. Baker, associate director of the LDSSA. In 1966, Elder Paul H. Dunn organized the LDS Student Association to offer a balance to the LDS college student's lifestyle. There were three pilot programs established and Weber State College was selected as one of the locations. The General Authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints made an evaluation of the program and incorporated student input to design the existing organization. Through the years, the organization has grown, expanded and experienced modifications to meet the needs of the students. "The greatest strength of LDSSA is the ability to touch the lives of different types of people," said Baker. There are 13 committees that compose the LDSSA Executive Council. Led by a president, two vice presidents, financial secretary and secretary, the committees are Good Times, Programs, High School Relations, Gospel In ActionFocus, Publicity, Missionary, College Relations, RegistrationRecruitment, Spirit of Place, Sports, Young Adults, Lambda Delta Sigma (sorority) and Sigma Gamma Chi (fraternity). The LDSSA has many activities such as the Chorale, Folk Dancers and Friday Night Activities that are more visible than other facets within the organization. The Chorale and Folk Dancers perform throughout the community several times during the year for large and small audiences. An annual concert tour is performed during spring quarter. The show is performed locally and in other cities within the state of Utah and surrounding states. This year, the two groups traveled to the Idaho cities of Shelley, Ashton and St. Anthony. 'The basic needs of students are to feel wanted, accepted, important and loved," said Baker. The theology of Mormonism teaches correct principles that students may apply to their lives to meet their individual needs, he said. The Institute experience is like a wheel. According to Baker, the hub of the wheel is the classroom instruction, and the spokes are the committees of the LDSSA. "The most important part of LDSSA. ia learning about the Lord," Baker said. The LDSSA is one of the largest factions associated with WSC. Enrollment at the Institute began with 2500 students in the fall and decreased throughout the school year, similar to the college enrollment. "The Institute exists because WSC exists, and anything the Institute can do to support the campus-we want to do it." said Baker. The Institute, as a member of the Association of Registered Organizations (ARO) of WSC, co-sponsors many activities in conjunction with the Associated Students of Weber State College |