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Show 4 THE SIGNPOST Friday, June 1, 1990 Opinion x Letter to the editor policy The Signpost welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must be typed and should not exceed 300 words in length. : : ; For subjects requiring greater exposition, arrangements may be made with the editor In chief. : :::: Letters MUST include name, address, phone numberr relationship to WSC (student, staff, Ogden resident, etc) and the slgiiature of the writer. Letters without this Information vitt !ot be printed. The Signpost reserves the right to edit for reasons of space and libel and reserves the right to refuse to print any letter. Mm, C&?7 tii m From Hart to heart Editor fakes sobering look By Brett Hart Editor in chief of The Signpost This morning, I realized as I stared blankly into the the mirror plucking the gray hairs from among the tangled mass that today I would attend my last two classes as an undergraduate Weber Wildcat. Unexpectedly, my feelings were mixed. Now, after years of unbridled loyalty to this institution of higher learning, I will be turned away, rejected, booted out, despised, alone, friendless, left to wander the streets in search of comfort and belonging, exiled to the cruel, (gulp) real world. Yes, I am graduating. Oh, sure, they'll try to make it Signing gains popularity claims To the editor: May 3 1, 1 990 Big changes seem to be in store for foreign language curriculums throughout Utah. The State Board of Education has determined that school districts may decide for themselves whether or not to grant foreign language credit for Convocation To the editor: May 25, 1990 Last Thursday, May 24, Joe Girard, Guinness Book World Record Salesman was the Convocation speaker. In the Friday edition of The Signpost, it stated that there were approximately 300 people in attendance. Although this figure seems low to me, it is beside the point I want to make. The Convocation series (Open Hour program, in general) is offered as a supplement to this higher educational experience. Convocations provide opportunities to provoke and stimulate our thinking, understanding and to analyze and evaluate the things we learn. It allows us the unique advantage to decide what we believe. The Open Hour program gives us the opportunity to hear firsthand from up to me. They'll have a nice graduation ceremony for all 2,000 of us being sentenced to life on the outside. Fll probably sit by some guy I don't even know. Then ni stand in a line for hours just waiting. Waiting for what you ask? Ill be waiting for some guy, whom I've never met, to mispronounce my name, shake my hand and give me a sheet of paper. This will be the culmination of my higher education experience. However, I am optimistic. I know that the world is a kinder, gentler place than my instructors have made it sound. I'm sure it was all just a plot to get me to study harder. In spite of this over abundance of optimism, I can't American Sign Language classes. when given the opportunity to take a sign language class, junior high and high school students line up. I hear that over 300 students at Ogden High wanted to take a sign class next year. Alpine School District apparently has even more offers thought provoking those who have been there and to receive of their instruction, wisdom and advice. When Girard spoke at Southern California and Michigan State, both places were packed, and the students were involved. He was appalled that out of 12,000 students at Weber State, less than 3 percent were in attendance. Girard said, "Students are here to learn to become successful and make money. I can help them. This place should be packed." I and some members of my student council have prepared and worked a year for this event raising and collecting money, sending letters and designing publicity. We were likewise discouraged with the lack of interest. Nonetheless I would like to thank those people for their time and help. help but worry just a little about what will become of me in the next few months. The nightmares are all too vivid; there is one that has been reoccurring night after night since spring quarter began. It's horrible. I wander from newspaper to newspaper begging for a job as a writer, photographer, editor, delivery boy anything, being turned down at every turn. Then I hit the magazine and book publishers. Again I walk away empty handed. (This is where it gets ugly.) After being turned away from every job I ever wanted, Fm forced to seek employment in the (argh) public relations field. This may not seem so bad to you, but PR people have to be nice. They have to smile a lot. Once a lined up than that. As an instructor of sign language at Weber State College, I am often asked: "Why should sign language be given foreign language credit? Isn't it just English on the hands? Is sign language universal? How do I take a class?" Sign language is not universal. Here in the United States we use American Sign Language. Deaf-people from different countries do tend to communicate quite well, though by using the mime aspects of sign. There are forms of sign language such as Signing Exact English andor Manually Coded English that do follow English syntax. ASL is the language of Hannan expresses thanks for support To the Editor; May 31, 1990 As the end of the school year approaches, I wa:i jo express my appreciation to the students, faculty and staff who have made my first year at Weber State so enjoyable. The athletic department has had a difficult year financially. But with the support of all the campus entities, we have continued to show growth and development, we are ready to head into the '90s with a positive feeling, and I am confident that our I was honored to spend a great deal of time with Joe Girard. The influence he had on me was powerful, to say the least. He's a very kind and generous man, full of wisdom and love. I was so comfortable in his presence. Never did I feel he Ic a down on me. We were buddys. As a student representative heavily involved in the Open Hour program at Weber State, I'd like to encourage students and instructors alike to support this, perhaps misunderstood and undiscovered, yet great, program. Several students have said to me, "I would really like to go but I have an instructor that holds class at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday." I know a lot of students who are obligated to attend class during Open Hour. Departments and instructors, who do at reality journalist compromises hisher standards, it's a sure and unavoidable descent into decadence. One day it's PR, the next day it's retail sales and the next fast food. (This is the part where I wake up screaming with beads of sweat running down my face, swearing Fm going to get another major or minor anything not to graduate.) So here we are at the end of the road. It has been a long, fulfilling year, but as all good things, it has come to an end. I hope that if you pass me some day in the future standingin front of Smith's holding a sign that reads, "Will work for food," you'll be generous and remember I was once one of you a Weber State College Wildcat. senator choice for the majority of the adult deaf community. There are many places you can learn sign language. The Utah Community Center for the Deaf in Bountiful offers classes. Their phone number is 533-5997. Here in Ogden you can take a course through WSCs Continuing Education Department, the number is 626-6336. You could join a sign language club. A good one is the WSC Sign Language Club. They teach free classes to their members. For more information call Ralene Ringler, club president, at 399-2657. Bill Vicars Physically challenged student senator elect teams will continue to experience more success next year striving for excellence both on and off the field. Your help has enabled us to progress smoothly through the year, and with your continued support, we wDl be able to develop our programs, so that they are the best in the Big Sky Conference. Sincerely, Richard Hannan WSC Athletic Director experience so rob students and take away this right. I also spoke to several students who didn't know what Convocation was, where it was held, etc. These students should open their eyes and look around them. There is a lot that can be had just by being aware and looking for opportunity. Remember attitude determines a!''ude. I hope that in the future students and others at Weber State College will take advantage of Convocations and the Open Hour program. The little cliche, "If it is to be, it is up to me," is true. To be successful in life, we must always look for opportunities to learn, grow, progress and achieve. Guy M. Watkins Senator of technology |