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Show fer •:-.'« ^ T ' • V; , • t \ Monday, October 13,2008 %r THE SIGNPOST One-day recharge for WSU By Lisa Arrington correspondent I The Signpost Friday, Oct. 17, is Fall Break for Weber State University, a holiday introduced to the university five years ago. According to Michael Vaughan, Provost for WSU, a student suggested to the student senate a one-day break during fall semester. The student senate took the idea to the administrative council, and Fall Break was initiated. "It gives us a chance to recharge our batteries," said Troy Poll, Programming vice president of the WSU Student Association. Although the break is only one day, it is a good chance for students to get caught up with school work, get things done that aren't schoolrelated, or even just relax and take advantage of a three-day weekend. "Three days is better than nothing," said Jonathon Call, a history senior and "I'd make it battalion 3 Week it It commander was up to me. // - Troy Poll J* program. "Having a break from class will D e programming nice." tne vice president of ^ the WSU Student t h r e e - d a y Association weekend in the middle of October isn't enough, WSU students have the opportunity to bring a proposal for a longer vacation to the Student Senate for consideration, but the administration has thefinalsay. Poll said students can make suggestions and the WSU Student Association will take that suggestion to the Administration of the University, the same way Fall Break was originally instituted. If students want more time off, they should ask. "I'd make it a week if it was up to me," Poll said. Last year, the University of Utah implemented a weeklong Fall Break. "It's counter-productive, but totally worth it," said Jonathan Roylance, a student at the U of U. "It's kind of like Spring Break when we have to get back into the groove afterward, but it's still nice having a whole week off." The only problem with a longer break is the university must offer so many hours of class time to the students who attend. More time off in the middle of the semester means starting classes earlier or finishing later in the year like the U.of U, whose final exam period is a week later than WSU. "We like just having one day off," said Trent Hurst, a WSU business administration senior. "No one wants to start early or end late." Hurst said he will wait for Spring Break to have a whole week off. Unique to this year's Fall Break is the date. WSU's fall break coincides with other universities in the state, as well as the Utah Education Association (UEA) break. This is advantageous for university instructors and students who have family members in elementary, junior high or high school because it gives them the opportunity to spend extra time with their families. FEATURES The world will keep turning A day in the life HUNTER By Matt Kiisel features reporter I The Signpost For many WSU students, Fall Break means hunting season. Weber State University Manufacturing and Welding Engineering student Aaron Ricks is a lifetime hunter. He tells us why hunting is one of his favorite past times and why. Signpost Are you an avid hunter? Aaron Ricks: Yeah, I hunt birds more than I hunt big game, but I hunt a lot. SP: How many times do you go hunting a year? AR: A lot. I'd say between 20 and 40 times. It just 'depends on the season and what's going on and if it's a good year. SP: Is hunting an expensive hobby? AR: It can be. I would say for the most-part, if you count in gas costs it's expensive all the time. You have to buy a gun and you have to buy ammunition and a license, a lot of times you have to buy tags depending on the type of animal you're hunting. It can be really expensive. SP: Do you travel around the country to hunt? AR: I haven't yet, but I have plans to. It's more expensive to hunt out-of-state, like three or four times the cost. SP: When you go hunting do you always kill something or are there a lot of times that you don't? AR: There are a lot of times that you don't. By Tricy Taylor features editor I The Signpost Weber State University student Aaron Ricks, pictured here with a fish he caught, is also a hunter. SP: What about hunting appeals to you? AR: Getting out in nature and enjoying the beautiful things that are out there. I enjoy the hiking; I enjoy the companionship when I go in groups. Mostly just getting out and enjoying the fall. SP: Have you hunted your whole life? AR: I have. My dad hunts, not as much as he used to, but we all hunt. SP: Do you hunt with family or friends? AR: Both. SP: What is it that you think turns people off from hunting? AR: There is a misconception that it's brutal and that people just do it for recreation or the thrill of the kill. Hunting is more you're providing for yourself, you're being independent and enjoying God's creation which in my opinion have been set apart for people to eat. SP: You are only allowed to kill a certain amount of animals, correct? AR: You are limited on the wsusignpost.com. they f know a big warm f h Q / sweater, it COuld drop a , P u m p lot more and millions of into dollars We Will all our stiU be eating •economy. By Lara Douglass correspondent I The Signpost PHOTO BY CATHERINE MORTIMER | THE S1CNPOS T Weber State University students bouldering in Waterfall Canyon. From left, Ben Taylor, Bronson Duke and Jordan Bailey. Symphony Ballet and Ogden Union Station. Jones said activities in-town are not limited to events. "Right in town, though, there are a number of things you can do if you are at all interested in the outdoors," Jones said. James Provence, who works at WSU's Wilderness Recreation Center, suggested many things to do around the area, including things like camping at Antelope Island, canoeing at Causey Reservoir, or even hiking to Ben Lomond Peak. "Right now it's a good time to do just about anything," Provence said. "Rock climbing is good, because it's not very hot. The rivers are still flowing pretty good." Jones said hiking and biking on the hundreds of miles of trails or camping in the national forests around the area would also be a great way to spend the break. "Weber State students have all that available to them immediately, right out the back door," Jones said. For those who like floating the rivers, Provence said the Henefer to Taggart float on the Weber River is a good place for beginners. There are also two kayak parks located in the area, one in Riverdale and another under the 24th Street Bridge on the Weber River. "Another great place that I like, if people are interested in a simple float or even some awesome fishing," Provence said, "is the Green River right outside of Flaming Gorge." There are also many things to do in the area that require a little more traveling. Provence said Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park and Moab are all great places to go, although a little farther away. 'Cats weigh in on Fall Break Garrett Chamberlain, a WSU freshman in automotive technology, said he knows it'sfallbecause of the Although fall officially begins the harvest season and because it starts first day of the Autumnal equinox, for to get cold. some people it's a little more relative. WSU early childhood education Students weigh in on whether they and elementary education senior, like having Fall Break and when fall Deana Padelsky said she looks actually begins. forward to fall each year because it is Chelsea Graf, an accounting her favorite season. She said she also freshman, said she knows it's fall knows it's fall when the leaves start to when the leaves start to change change. colors. Graf said she likes the fall Padelsky said fall is her favorite leaves changing and the holiday season because it's not too hot and season. not too cold. She said she likes to ru y i everyone willing to Close-tohome fun lor Fall Break Weber State University's Fall Break on Oct. 17 is quickly arriving, and, although it's only one day, there are many things to do around the area to enjoy the break. • "Obviously it goes without saying that Ogden's got plenty to do if you don't want to travel," said Josh Jones, an Ogden City employee and WSU alumnus. Jones suggested many things to do around Ogden, including going to the Salomon Center. The Center, located in downtown Ogden, features iFLY indoor skydiving, Flowrider indoor surfing, and a climbing wall. "If you're feeling youthful," Jones said, "and don't mind getting beat up a little bit, Flowrider is a lot of fun, but it's pretty hard on the body." Other events around Ogden can be found by looking on Ogden City's Web site. Jones said it lists upcoming events for Ogden City, and also has an Ogden-area community calendar. It includes events from several organizations such as the Ogden Dinosaur Park, Ogden Amphitheater, Eccles Conference Comment on this story at wsusignpost.com. Center, Ogden Nature Center, Ogden By Tricy Taylor features editor I The Signpost Watching the news lately might give you the impression that the world has stopped turning. It is surprising the sun still rises with some of the things our presidential candidates are saying to each other. And the economy? Time stood still for about a second when the Dow dropped 600 points. Stock brokers may have locked themselves in their bedrooms to deal with the end of the world, but the world is still turning. The next few months are sure to be a ride, so hang on. As we share our sunlight with the southern hemisphere and our world gets darker and colder, there are still a few things to look forward to. First is Halloween candy. Right now it's expensive, but the day after, stock up! Snickers and Nerds could be your only hope and sustenance in the upcoming economic meltdown. Thanksgiving is also coming up! Whether Ralph Nader or Sarah amount depending on regulations. Palin wins the upcoming election, Normally it is one deer, one elk, if you get a tag. With birds it depends I am pretty sure Thanksgiving isn't on the type of bird. Sometimes it's going anywhere. I am even willing one bird per day or that you can to say the Dow could drop a lot only kill two birds at a time. In more and we will all still be eating North Dakota I believe you can marshmallow yams on Nov. 27. Fall also means sweater hunt up to six birds. weather and thank goodness! If Comment on this story at e v e r y o n e run, and will continue to run even as the days get cooler. "You just put more clothes on," she said. Adam Carlson, a WSU computer technology sophomore, said he knows it's fall when it rains but doesn't warm up. "Usually it will rain and then it gets colder," Carlson said, "and never warms back up." WSU hasn't always offered a Fall Break, but most students seem grateful for any break at all. Graf said she might spend Fall Break doing family stuff. She said she thinks the break is a good idea. "It's nice to have," Graf said. "Any break is good." Chamberlain is taking advantage of the Fall Break to go home to Oregon. He said his family and friends plan a hunting trip every year for quail and pheasants. He said he is looking forward to seeing friends and family because he doesn't get to go home very often, and this break would also release stressfromschooL "I don't have class on Thursday," he said, "so I'll have a four-day "Obviously, Southern Utah is going to be awesome," Provence said. "Moab should be just fantastic that time of year." The Wilderness Recreation Center is also hosting a Fall Break climbing trip to the San Rafael Swell on October 17-19. Provence said the trip is for climbers with intermediate to advanced experience and those who are interested can attend the pre-trip meeting on October 14 at 6 p.m. or can find out more information at their Web site. Tyson Skeen, a WSU freshman, said he is thinking about going hiking or rock climbing over Fall Break. "I think it's a good opportunity to take a short overnight trip somewhere," Skeen said. Comment on this story at wsusignpost.com. ° s w eha t eer s marshmallow T yams on could also keep our NOV. 27. sub-prime friends warm enough to not seek out homes they can't afford. We have all been waiting for Dec. 25. Depending on who is elected, there is hope that we might still get to celebrate Christmas, which means family time, carols, chestnuts, blah, blah, blah and PRESENTS! Our ancestors would spend these months foraging for food for the winter. We, not unlike squirrels, have already begun foraging through malls for Christmas presents. Nothing helps our economy like Christmas shopping. In fact toddlers with computers and their parent's credit cards could probably fix our economic mess. Here's a good economic bailout plan, Tyco needs to come up with a new "Tickle Me Elmo" toy, pronto. Lastly, we've got nature. It doesn't matter how ugly politics or the stock market gets. The next few months will be beautiful. During Mother Nature's yearly makeover, even the dumpiest piece of land glows. So go on a walk, or a drive. Try to enjoy Utah before it turns into a frozen tundra. Comment on this story at wsusignpost.com. Students make the most of three day weekend weekend. But even a three-day weekend is nice. That's really the only time I can go home - long weekends." • Like a lot of students, Padelsky said she would probably spend her extra day doing homework. "Just catch up on homework and try to get ahead," she said. This yearfellbreak coincides with the Utah Education Association break. "I have kids," Padelsky said, "and they have Thursday off because it's UEA so it would have been nice to have Thursday off also." Carlson said he has no clue what he will spend Fall Break doing. He said he also wishes WSU had a break that wasn't on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday. "It's a good thing to take a break from school," Carlson said, "but all the breaks seem to be on Mondays so you always miss the same class. Most classes I take are Monday, Wednesday or Friday classes, so a Tuesday or Thursday break would be nice." Comment on this story at wsusignpostcom. |