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Show VOLUME 53, ISSUE 88 Friday , May 28, 1993 (TIThe Issues forum WEBER STATE UNIVERSITY OGDEN, UTAH For story, see page 2. wiminniomr. whw iiiiiiwiiniiiiiiifiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinMMMBWMMBMHiiHiiHwwww'iiHiMii'"i P'uu,Tur,"niHuniiipiinnniin?w No prayer atWSU graduation ap wire & Signpost staff Like Utah public highschools, WeberState University will heed to the Supreme Court ban on prayer at graduation ceremonies or face the threat of litigation. "Weber State won't have a prayer at graduation because it is simply against the law'said Marie Kotter, vice president of student affairs. WSU hasn't had a prayer at graduation for several years, Kotter said. "Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court banned prayer at government sponsored events. But that decision came June 25, after high school commencements had already been held many of them including prayer. "This is the first year that individuals who disagree with the practice ofgovernment-sponsored prayer will actually feel like true citizens. They will feel like their view matters," said Kathryn Kendell, staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of Utah. Any school that violates the law probably will face court action, "but that's something we hope to avoid," Kendell said. The ACLU encourages students or citizens' groups to sponsor the private baccalaureates. WSU will not have a religious-oriented graduation service, Kotter said. "As long as the public school is not involved in sponsoring it or supporting it, that is perfectly fine," Kendell said. Prayers will be heard at virtually all Utah private schools. WSU Faculty Senate gives nod to By ERIC MORROW SIGNPOST govt, affairs editor In an attempt to advance "continuous improvement in student learning throughself-examination and assessment," the Weber State University Faculty Senate approved several proposals offered by the Ad Hoc Committee on Assessment in their May meeting.The committee met throughout the year and discussed the issue of assessment before finally revealing their research to the faculty senate. According to the committee's report, the proposals advanced by the committee were established to "usefully serve as the catalyst for an ongoing dialogue among faculty and if W4 BRAUM BARTON of the Weber State University ROTC honor guard proudly and respectfully carries the flag that flew over the U.S.S Utah Memorial on December 7 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. administrators about the continued role of assessment at WSU." "It is important to gauge the quality of this university at every level, andthiscanbest be achieved by looking at what this campus does and assessing it's performance at every level with regard to both strengths and weaknesses," said Tom Burton, faculty senate chairman. The first proposal calls for the establishment of a "Coordinator of Assessment" who would oversee the work of the committee. Additional guidelines require that the position be filled by a faculty member appointed by the vice president of academic affairs in accordance with the Executive Committee. "Even though the proposal was passed, the appointment of a "St, f . J If coordinator of assessment is still pending," secretary of faculty senate LaRee Keller said. An additional proposal requires the creation of an ad hoc committee on assessment composed of the appropriate administrators and staff that understand the assessment process. "Since looking into assessment takes considerable time and effort, another committee must be formed to continue the process in the fall," Burton said. The committee recommended that the coordinator position be bolstered by a large budget, anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000. The budget would be established to create an "assessment newsletter" to keep faculty informed on the committee's progress. The budget would also ! I V' A -X. 5 mtxaxtoxg V..ntin,. 3 CHUCK BOWHAYWF SIGNPOST proposals allow for "incentive grants" to various departments to encourage innovative assessment systems.Finally, a portion of the budget would also be used for travel expenses to various national conferences a nd retrea ts dea 1 i ng wi t h assessment and to encourage publication of implementation in national journals . Burton commended the work of the committee and stressed the importance of assessment on the campus of the growing Ogden university. "Assessment is essential to the improvement in the educational process,"he said. "It is something that can be effective and positive rather than intimidating and threatening," Burton said. Historic flag given to WSU Donation recalls anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor By CHUCK BOWHAY Signpost staff writer One of four flags that flew over the USS Utah during the attack on Pearl Harbor was presented to WeberState University Thursday. The presentation was to recognize Memorial Day and the 50th anniversary of the attack. President Paul H. Thompson accepted the special memorial flag from Ogden resident Charles Wright, owner and donor. The flag will rest temporarily in the Browning Center and later will be on permanent display in the Miller Administration Building. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends," quoted John Vickroy, veteran affairs coordinator for WSU. The presentation took place at a ceremony in theamphi theater behind the Val A. Browning Center. Wright explained how he received the flag from friends who worked at the memorial in Hawaii, then presented the flag to Thompson. Thompson turned it over to cadet Braum Barton, of the Weber ROTC honor guard, who marched it around the Browning Center as Cadet Scott Morrise played "To the Colors" on the trumpet and the honor guard posted the colors. Memorabilia from the Utah Historical Society were on display in the Shepherd Union Building after the ceremony. tin nmvc JUll o xjEWS ARTS. "Murders" provides laughs, mystery. See page 6. g PORTS Bill Walton, NBA Hall of Famer, challenges students. See page 7. |