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Show 11 IllilL Mj ill! Phone: 626-7121 Jeffrey R. Hurt, editor in chief Signpost VIEWPOINT Open hour needs defining It's Thursday, 10:21 a.m., Open Hour. But what to do with the time. Such was the controversy many students face on a weekly basis. That decision may disappear, however, with the transition to the semester schedule. It has been proposed by some professors to either eliminate Open Hour or move it to a later time. Open Hour is, for many, a time to relax, to enjoy many out-of-class activities and have fun. Unfortu nately, Open Hour is for some professors as time-honored as Dead Week. A meeting was held Thursday during Open Hour, a very convenient time, and on Friday afternoon to discuss the possible changes to the semester system, which will affect every person on this campus when it finally happens. Open Hour was one of the topics of discussion. Several professors suggested that Open Hour was an inefficient use of valuable teaching time, and that it should be moved or even eliminated. Open Hour is a valuable time slot; it is a time when many students are still on campus and are able to attend excellent speeches and learn about different viewpoints and other's experiences. It is, in fact, a useful teaching tool, and one that has been defended by many a student and professor. However, Open Hour could use a little re-structuring. Several times a quarter, and especially during spring quarter, many excellent activities are vying for students' attention. The goal of Open Hour should be quality, not quantity. This last statement has been echoed by several student senators throughout the years. Convocations, a $94,000 item on next year's student budget, would be an area that could use a cut-back, not in funding, but in quantity. Instead of scheduling a speaker every week, who may not attract much attention, we could pay for better speakers every other week and allow other groups to benefit from the opportune time. As a result, Greek Week, departmental activities and Honour Issues Forum might attract bigger crowds. Meetings, also, such as the one that discussed eliminating Open Hour, might not go unnoticed by the studentbody. Students should advocate the continuation of Open Hour into the new semester system, but let's also take the opportunity to make it quality time. opinion written by Marc Fuller, The Signpost asst. news editor. Editorial board concurred 5-2. The two dissenting favored no change. Recipient of the UPA General Excellence award Editor in chief Managing editor News editor A&E editor Assign, editor Sports editor Copy editor Sidetracks editor Graphics editor Photo editor Production mngr. Advertising mngr. Secretary Adviser Publisher Jeffrey R. Hurt Amy Baker-Butters Alisa Rasmussen Mindy Rose Melissa Karren Joe Wren Heather Wallentine Caroline Lusby Taylor Fielding Ryan Shupe Tom Bluhm Trent Walker Georgia Edwards Dr. S. Josephson Dr. Randy Scott The Signpost Phone numbers Editor in chief Managing editor News desk Arts desk Sports desk Production Advertising Adviser Fax 625- 7121 626- 7105 626-7507 626-7105 626-7983 626-6358 626-6359 626-6164 626-7401 The Signpostis published Monday, Wednesday and Friday during Fall, Winter and Spring quarters. Subscription is S9 a quarter. The Signposts a student publication, written, edited and drafted by Weber State University students. Opinions or positions voiced are not necessarily endorsed by the university. The Signpost welcomes letters to the editor. Letters should not exceed 350 words. Letters must include name, address, telephone number, relationship to staff and the signature of the writer. The Signpost reserves the right to edit for reasons of space and libel and also reserves the right to refuse to print any letter. Bring letters to the editorial office in UB 267 or mail to: The Signpost, Weber State University, Ogden, Utah 84408-2110. Attn: Jeff Hurt, editor in chief. SEX 0R6IES, CAR THEFTS SHOUmE LET WU GOTO THE NAVAL ACAPEMy M to 1 1041! - J, Mosh pits, other teenage hazards As a mother of a 13 year old daughter, I am constantly re-. minded of the importance of communication. In a world full gangs, drugs, sexually transmitted diseases and strange dance, it's no wonder that parents tend to fear for their children's lives. In this 13 year journey, I have grown as much as my daughter has. Teenagers speak a foreign language and it's important for parents to understand this language, let alone find a way to communicate with these aliens. Which brings me to mosh pits. There are these terrific things called mosh pits. Kids go down to the pit and rough-it-up (slam dance) with each other. Not a good thing to tell a mother. ' My daughter recently had the wonderful experience of going to one of these concerts. Alexis is a diminutive 4-foot nine inches, weighing almost 90 pounds. I learned of the activity and communicated my concern over it. Rules were set. She was not allowed to go near a mosh pit. We also made it the understanding that she had to pay attention to the people around her. I thought a strong communication link was established, or so I thought. Alexis and her friends went to the Foo Fighters concert at Saltaire. They had a ride there and I was to pick them up when the concert ended. Dalenie's Homilies Dalene Bavelas As I was getting ready to leave, I received a phone call from the paramedic at Saltaire telling me that Alexis had been involved in an accident. It was the longest 30 minute drive I could ever remember driving. Though she was a bit shaken from the incident, Alexis was fine. They explained the situation to me. Alexis-was ski-ting around two young menthat were moshingwith each other and didn't see Alexis untilihey had flattened her against the wall. Immediately, the boys carried her to the paramedics and did not leave until they knew she was okay. The girls opened up and told me about the evening. Alexis was going for water when she had seen the boys and felt that she was safe enough to go around them. She didn't take into account the fact there were so many people that she could get hurt. She hadn't paid enough attention to the environment, nor did she remember our conversation of hazards that could happen at the concert. There were lessons taught that night. The girls learned that parents don't always get mad. They also learned they could open up and help fill in the blanks. Alexis learned that she had to watch what was happening around her at all times. I think I probably learned the most. I learned young people are responsible for their own actions. I learned no matter how much communication that goes on between two people, it doesn't always mean they'll always be safe, (even if it looked like they were actually listening!). I also learned not to overreact when things happen to my child, which is the first instinct that comes along in situations like these. I also learned that people need to listen, watch, pay attention, speak up and learn to use all senses, even the sixth one. We shouldn't limit the ability to communicate with only loved ones. We should communicate in every aspect of life, including those at school and work and allow this list to continue in every facet of a person's life. Technology is great. It brings the world to our fingertips, but we should never forget the importance of on-on-one communication. So much of this life is misinterpreted. If more of us would spend a little time and energy, it really does go a long way. My suggestion and advice for everyone.. .keep the communication line open. It does a body good!! o uotables 44 Censorship reflects a society's lack of confidence in itself. " Potter Stewart, Supreme Court justice |
