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Show Lego robotics qualifier held at WSU page 4 Wildcats defeat University of North Dakota page 6 AT A GLANCE 2 EDITORIAL 3 BUSINESS & SCIENCE 4 SPORTS 6 HELP WANTED 9 WSU student competes on "The Biggest Loser" SOURCE: CHRIS HASTON/NBC Jackson Carter competed on Season 14 of "The Biggest Loser," which started on Sunday. By Laurie Reiner asst. news editor I The Signpost Hundreds of people auditioned for "The Biggest Loser" in Salt Lake City over the summer. However, lackson Carter, a Weber State University student, was the only one to make it onto the show. He is a contestant on Season 14 of the show, which started yesterday and also airs today. Carter credited his clothing choice for why he was one of the people to get a callback. "I have this bubble- gum-pink blazer that I wore that I think automatically clicked with them," he said. "They saw the bright-pink blazer and it stuck in their minds." Carter is a theater major and a social work minor at WSU. Along with being a student, Carter also volunteers at Ogden OUTreach, a center that helps LGBTQ youth. He said the youth he helps are the reason he wanted to be on the show. "I have been a role model for teenagers at the Ogden OUTreach Center for years now, and I have been able to be an incredible role model for them in every way except for health," Carter said. "Our mission statement states that we want to have these kids live happy and healthy lives, and I was not able to help them lead a healthy life." Carter said he grew up watching "The Biggest Loser" and that he and his family are die-hard fans of the show, having seen every episode. However, he said that having seen the show did not prepare him for the challenges he faced as a contestant. "I thought I was prepared, but there's really no preparing for this," Carter said. "I just didn't understand how hard the work was actually going to be and how hard you had to push yourself every single day. It didn't matter if you passed out and threw up and your whole body hurt and was covered in blisters; you had to get up and do it again, every day." Carter is the first openly gay contestant the "The Biggest Loser" has featured. While he was auditioning, the casting directors asked him what he thought it would be like to have an openly gay contestant on the show. Carter said it would be just like having an openly straight contestant. "I didn't think it would make a difference," he said. "But now that I'm on the show, I realize what an opportunity I See Biggest page 5 Bobcats wander campus By Raychel Johnson news editor I The Signpost Leaving a trail of pigeon feathers and tracks, a wild bobcat has been spotted on Weber State University campus numerous times by WSU Facilities Management personnel. The bobcat, or "Waldo," as it has been nicknamed, isn't alone. According to Ron Stuart, a mechanic who works in vehicle repair on campus, a baby bobcat is also around. Stuart, who is also an experienced hunter and trapper, said the two bobcats will probably return to the mountains as soon as school starts. "If he acts like a normal cat, he'll leave as soon as he starts seeing activity increase in the center here at the facility," Stuart said. "I believe they helped take care of our pigeon problem." He said the two bobcats pose no threat to the human Wildcats, and that they have come down off the mountain in search of food. "He won't hurt anybody if we don't hurt him. He'll go away," Stuart said. "He'll go away and establish territory See Bobcat page 5 WSU policy for math requirements changes SOURCE: MARY JO HANSEN Students work on math tests and homework in the Hub. The program has recently implemented a three-strike policy to encourage students to complete developmental math programs as soon as possible. Three-strike policy in place for spring 2013 By Dave Pehrson correspondent I The Signpost Weber State University recently changed its requirements for the completion of developmental math courses into a three-strikes policy. This change is in full effect beginning in spring semester of 2013, and will affect both new and current students. When students are admitted into WSU, they are required to complete developmental math courses as part of the required curric ulum. Some students have been known to avoid these courses up until the time they need to graduate and end up finding themselves in a bind. Bruce Bowen, the associate provost for enrollment services, explained that WSU's assessment and placement policy indicates anyone with an ACT (SAT equivalent) math score of 23 or higher would not need to take the developmental See Math page 5 PERCENT DO NOT EVEN SHOW UP TO CLASS News in Brief Campus stores extend hours for spring rush To accommodate this semester's students' need for textbooks and school supplies, Campus Stores will be open extended hours for the beginning of spring semester. Both Ogden and Davis campus stores will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. until Thursday, Dec. 10, and will return to their regular hours afterward. Store regular hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Fridays, closed Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Louis Gossett Jr. to be MLK Day keynote speaker Louis Gossett jr., Oscar-winning actor and founder of the nonprofit Eracism Foundation, is slated to give the keynote speech "Eracism" at Weber State University on Thursday, Ian. 10 in the Shepherd Union Wildcat Theater. The speech - and Gos- sett's Eracism foundation - are intended to raise awareness and eliminate the impacts of hate and racism, while facilitating enrichment, diversity, education and anti- violence. Gossett has appeared in works including "An Officer and a Gentleman" and "Roots." The speech is sponsored by the Center for Diversity and Unity, the WSU Diversity and Inclusivity Initiative, Utah's MLK Ir. Human Rights Commission and the Hill Air Force Base Martin Luther King Ir. Holiday Planning Committee. Intramural sports registration now open Registration is now open for intramural sports through the Campus Recreation Office. Students can sign up as a team or as individual free agents. Many intramural sports, including basketball, dodgeball, volleyball and soccer, begin in mid- to late lanuary, and students can sign up at www. weber.edu/intramu- rals or pick up registration forms from the Campus Recreation Office, Room 21 of the Stromberg/Swenson Complex. |