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Show 3 L..i:vAM.a.ito-.1 Forensic Society: More fun, less work By Devon Crus assistant news editor The Signpost Public speaking, debate, platforms, interpretations and speech are just a few things the new. Weber State University Forensic Society will be involved in this coming spring. Forensics is defined as anything suitable for a court or public debate. This will mean any topic may be suitable for the new club. This will provide students with the opportunity to exercise their debate and presentation skills. Students will also have the opportunity to enjoy themselves while they learn from their peers. The club will have all the elements involved with belonging to the forensics team, including platform, interpretation, speech and other traditional topics. "It also provides an opportunity for those that may have enjoyed debate in high school or elsewhere to continue their hobby," said Jamie Richmond, a forensics team member. "It will give students the chance to enjoy it without having to take classes outside their major." "To be active in forensics takes up half your time," said Scott Odekirk, a forensics team member. By establishing a society, students will still need to commit some time, but not as much as they would if they belonged to the team. Students should still expect to attend meetings and assist with a community service project All meetings and activities will be held on campus. The WSU Forensics Society will give students the opportunity to be involved without having to commit a large portion of their time. Arab students weigh fears, some return home By Belh Kassab and Kelly Brewington KRT Campus writers Shariq Hasan talks to his parents in Saudi Arabia almost every day, reassuring them that he is safe despite the reports they see on Saudi television of a swelling anti-Muslim sentiment here. Unlike hundreds of other students at universities across the United States, Hasan decided to finish his last year at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University before returning to Riyadh to find a job near his family in the Saudi Arabian capital. "It did enter my mind that if it gets worse or something, I could go back," he said. Hasan is typical of the several hundred foreign students studying in Central Florida-he's staying, but he's cautious. An informal survey by the Orlando Sentinel shows that nearly 30 students have left, including some who are citizens of countries friendly to the United States. Some students obeyed parents or embassies who called them home; others feared they would be harmed because they are Muslim. A few from countries that aren't connected to the conflict were homesick anyway and became overwhelmed by the nationwide tension. Ibrahim Hammad, who prayed at the same Daytona Beach mosque as Hasan, flew home to Saudi Arabia last week, afraid of a backlash against Arabs since the Sept. 1 1 terrorist attacks. Before Hammad left, he said in an interview that his mother urged him to withdraw from Daytona Beach Community College after eight months in the United States. "She said, 'Come back to Saudi Arabia until everything is done,' " he said, adding he hopes to return in time for the spring semester. Four other students at Daytona Beach Community College from Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates also withdrew from classes, said Michael Elam, vice president for student development. Officials at Embry-Riddle, where reporters camped for weeks while the FBI investigated whether a graduate had hijacked one of the planes in the attack, say fewer than 1 0 students have left the university. Many were from the United Arab Emirates and did so at the urging of the embassy, they said. Embassy officials wouldn't say why they encouraged students to leave. Still other students, such as Nidal Sakr, a doctoral student in economics at the University of Miami, have found themselves caught between two worlds. An American citizen, born in Providence, R.I., Sakr can relate to U.S. patriotism, as well as various Middle Eastern political and religious beliefs. His father, who is Palestinian, lives in Jordan. Sakr has lived in Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. He has watched some of his classmates return to the Middle East. He has seen female students who have refused to wear their hijab-traditional covering-and many too scared to return to class days after the attack. Though he is not planning to leave now, he said he will go to his mother in Egypt if the United States goes to war. zoot ,0001566 Buy yours by November 3" oniy We're celebrating our Thirtieth Anniversary by G 4. i y Purchase a Powder Mountain Value Card for each member of your family, rfn'fflfj J3E jlffi ages 6 to 64. It lets you buy an adult day pass for $30, or a child day 'k4j " pass for only $ 1 7; a savings of up to seven dollars each day you enjoy 'UkvL,i.J our "real snow". You can use the Value Card for night and half-day trtifkTrroi iXYffi t'c'ets as we"- t'ie more yu or ')oart' at Pwer Mountain, the more you save. war Don't wait. The Powder Mountain Value Card will cost you $37 after November 3. Pick them up now at one of the - following locations: Powder Mountain ticket window 745-3772 Alpine Sports, Ogden 393-0066 Canyon Sports Outlet, Riverdale 621-4662 Diamond Peak Ski Shop, Eden 745-0 1 0 1 Ski Mania, Ogden 621-7669 Blindside, Ogden 612-0287 To add to the benefit of membership, students will be able to work with current members of the forensics team. All team members are expecting to join the club. This year's team has around seven people who have transferred from different schools. Leslye Evans-Lane, a communications instructor, said having people who . have debated in other environments will bring a positive diversity to the team. This means students who join can improve themselves with the added diversity and expertise of the Forensics team. Students looking to join can ex pect to benefit in ways that will help them in and out of class. Evans-Lane said students who join will be able to improve their public speaking skills and the ability to think on their feet. Avi Smith, a Forensics team member, said it greatly improved her ability to respond in various situations. "Things don't catch you by surprise. They don't really phase you." The WSU Forensic Society will begin competing, meetings and practice early next spring. You can reach reporter Devon Crus by calling 626-7655. feeling down? f J. f It is net a passing mood. It is ngj a personal weakness. , i It is a major-but treatable-illness. free depression screening Thursday, October 1 1th is National Depression Screening Day. Our licensed counselors will be available for free consultation. Please call for an appointment. (801)475-0402 axis-one Your nsounx lor chanix. .... New Donors 5100 in 4 donations $10 for each buddy you bring in... No limit Sera Tec Plasma Center Call for info 393-8606 Powder Mountain PLA$MA |